A political controversy has emerged following BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s comments regarding late Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, leading BJD MP Sasmit Patra to resign from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT in protest.
Dubey’s remarks suggesting that Biju Patnaik acted as a “link” between the US government, the CIA, and former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru sparked strong reactions from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), with party members deeming them objectionable.
In response to the backlash, Dubey clarified his stance outside Parliament, expressing respect for Biju Patnaik and stating that his statements had been misinterpreted.
He emphasized Biju Patnaik’s role as a freedom fighter and highlighted the BJP’s history of honoring him, while also criticizing the politicization of historical figures like B.R. Ambedkar and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Sasmit Patra resigned from the parliamentary panel chaired by Dubey, citing the controversial remarks as the primary reason, as the issue evolved into a broader political discussion with demands for accountability from Opposition leaders and the BJP defending Dubey’s statements as part of a historical discourse.
