Bhubaneswar, May 30: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday accused the BJP of insulting the people of Odisha by claiming that Lord Jagannath is a devotee of PM Modi.
Addressing an election rally at Simulia in Bhadrak Lok Sabha seat, Rahul criticized BJP's Puri Lok Sabha candidate Sambit Patra's remarks on Lord Jagannath.
He said that the BJP has insulted every individual of Odisha as Patra had claimed that Lord Jagannath is a devotee of PM Modi,"
Embroiled in a controversy over his "slip of the tongue" on Lord Jagannath, Patra had apologised and announced that he would undertake a penance by observing fast for three days.
During a roadshow in Odisha’s Puri, BJP spokesperson Patra had made a statement suggesting that Lord Jagannath is a devotee of PM Modi. He later clarified that it was a slip of the tongue and apologized for the mistake.
Patra’s comment had led to widespread condemnation, with Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik calling it an insult to the Lord and millions of devotees.
The Congress leader also alleged that the BJP and its allies are united to destroy democracy and the Constitution of the country.
No force on the earth can destroy our Constitution. You cannot even touch the Constitution by utilising all your forces, Gandhi had said in an apparent dig at the BJP.
