Sambit Patra Lord Jagannath Statement Controversy: Congress Demands Apology From PM Narendra Modi Over BJP Leader's Remark on Lord Jagannath

Bhubaneswar, May 21:  The Congress on Tuesday demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a controversial remark on Lord Jagannath made by BJP Puri Lok Sabha candidate Sambit Patra. Patra while talking to reporters on Monday, had said that the state's most revered deity "Lord Jagannath is a devotee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi." ‘Will Observe Fast as Penance to Lord Jagannath’: BJP Leader Sambit Patra Apologetic for ‘Slip of Tongue’ in Puri (Watch Video)

Later, Patra clarified that it was a "slip of the tongue" and he wanted to mean that the PM was an ardent 'bhakt' (devotee) of Lord Jagannath and not the other. Talking to media persons in front of Puri Jagannath temple on Tuesday, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said, "If Sambit Patra was in the Congress party, he would have been immediately expelled from the party for playing with the faith of crores of devotees of Lord Jagannath. The Prime Minister should expel Sambit Patra from the party." Sambit Patra 'Prabhu Jagannath Is Bhakt Of Modi' Remark: BJP Leader Issues Clarification, Says 'We All Have Slip of Tongue Sometimes'

He also demanded that the Prime Minister should also apologise to crores of devotees of Lord Jagannath within 24 hours over the remarks made by BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra.