BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Wednesday offered an unconditional apology for his previous claims that former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik served as a liaison between Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the CIA during the 1960s war with China.
Dubey chose ‘Utkal Dibasa’, the foundation day of Odisha, to express regret for his comments about Patnaik, a revered figure in the state, while extending his best wishes to the people of Odisha on the occasion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to Patnaik on Utkal Dibasa, remarking that the late leader’s life was a testament to strength, courage, and steadfast dedication to the nation’s development.
The BJP Parliamentarian had faced significant backlash from both within his own party and from the opposition following his March 27 statement, which attempted to link Patnaik’s activities to the American intelligence agency.
Taking to X, Dubey said, “Last week, while speaking to the media, an incorrect interpretation was drawn from my remarks regarding the Nehru-Gandhi family’s exploits, specifically in reference to the honourable Shri Biju Patnaik ji, a former Chief Minister and one of India’s leading leaders”.
पिछले हफ़्ते मीडिया से बात करते हुए मैने नेहरु गॉंधी परिवार के कारनामों के क्रम में पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री भारत के अग्रणी नेताओं में स्थान रखने वाले आदरणीय श्री बीजू पटनायक जी के संदर्भ में मेरी बातों से ग़लत अर्थ निकाला गया । पहले तो यह वक्तव्य मेरा व्यक्तिगत है। नेहरु जी के उपर मेरे…
— Dr Nishikant Dubey (@nishikant_dubey) April 1, 2026
Emphasising that the views expressed were strictly personal, Dubey affirmed that Patnaik has always been and will continue to be regarded as a towering statesman in Indian history.
“My thoughts on Nehru ji were misconstrued as being about Biju Babu… If my statement has hurt anyone’s sentiments, I unconditionally apologise,” Dubey said.
Biju Patnaik, who served as Odisha’s Chief Minister twice between 1961-63 and 1990-95, was a celebrated freedom fighter and aviator. He is famed for high-stakes missions, such as the 1947 rescue of Indonesian leaders in Jakarta and his involvement in operations related to the Battle of Stalingrad during World War II.
In a letter to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on the occasion of the Utkal Dibasa, PM Modi said that Biju Patnaik is among the prominent sons of the soil.
“Biju Babu’s multifaceted persona inspires us all. This (Odisha) is the soil that nurtured the great Biju Patnaik, whose life epitomises strength, courage and an unwavering commitment to nation-building,” the PM said.
The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which bears Patnaik’s name, issued a statement saying, “The nation rebutted the BJP MP, Nishikant Dubey’s misconceived statement on Legendary leader and freedom fighter Biju Patnaik. People across the country remember Biju Babu as a symbol of transformative & nationalist efforts.”
The regional party headed by Biju’s younger son, Naveen Patnaik, said that Biju Patnaik is a symbol of Odia Pride.
“People from across the nation who love their country & love Biju Babu, are hurt (by Dubey’s comment),” the party said.
Dubey’s remarks on the Odisha icon also triggered internal friction, as BJP leaders from Odisha, where the party currently holds power, voiced their disapproval of the comments directed at the state icon.
Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said, “Dubey might have made the remark on his own. We, including the chief minister, are hurt over the statement. Biju Babu was a towering personality.”
Earlier, BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda, Rajya Sabha MP Dilip Ray and Lok Sabha member Bibhu Prasad Tarai criticised Dubey.
The controversy also drew a sharp response from the family of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
Chandra Kumar Bose, Netaji’s grand-nephew, stated on X that such a serious and baseless allegation against Biju Patnaik deserved to be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
