BJP MP Nishikant Dubey apologised after his remarks linking Jawaharlal Nehru to the CIA and US funds during the 1962 war were misinterpreted as targeting Biju Patnaik. He clarified his comments were his personal view and aimed at Nehru.
Dubey Clarifies Remarks, Apologises
BJP leader and MP Nishikant Dubey on Wednesday clarified his remarks regarding the Nehru-Gandhi family, saying his comments were misinterpreted and apologising if anyone's sentiments were hurt.
The controversy stems from Dubey's remarks on March 27, when he claimed that during the 1962 war with China, Jawaharlal Nehru fought the war with American funds and in collaboration with CIA agents, while Biju Patnaik, then Chief Minister of Odisha, acted as a link between the US government, the CIA, and Nehru.
In an X post today, 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 honorable Shri Biju Patnaik ji, a former Chief Minister and one of India's leading leaders. First of all, this statement is my personal view. My thoughts on Nehruji were misconstrued as being about Biju Babu."
"Biju Babu has always been and will remain a towering statesman for us. If my statement has hurt anyone's sentiments, I unconditionally apologise," he added.
Details of the Controversial Post
The remarks made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on X on March 27, stated, "The Nehru-Gandhi family, brokers of America, on this very day, that is, March 27, 1963, the then Chief Minister of Odisha, Biju Patnaik ji, had arrived in America. The 1962 war with China was fought by us on America's behest and with America's money. The Dalai Lama's brother was in contact with America; in 1959, the Dalai Lama had arrived in India with American help. Biju Patnaik ji was the crucial link between Nehru ji and America/CIA. In 1963-64, India had pledged its Charbatia airfield to the American army for nuclear test weapons in Nanda Devi and for U2 planes. From 1955 to 1962, in all elections, America/CIA had given money to the Congress party; the then US Ambassador Moynihan even mentioned in his book directly giving money to Smt. Indira Gandhi ji in the Kerala elections, which sparked a debate even in Parliament, and a committee was formed."
Backlash From BJD Leaders
Dubey's comments sparked criticism from BJD leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra, who resigned from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT in protest against Dubey's remark. In his resignation letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman, Patra wrote, "I cannot, in good conscience, continue to serve under someone who makes disrespectful remarks about Late Shri Biju Patnaik ji as he did today in a public statement."
Meanwhile, Odisha Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik and the son of Biju Patnaik expressed surprise at remarks made by Dubey, noting that the Lok Sabha MP seemed to be unaware that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had placed an office next to Biju Patnaik's in New Delhi while he was still Chief Minister of Odisha to coordinate tactics against the Chinese. "I was surprised to find the outrageous things that MP Nishikant Dubey said about Biju Babu (Biju Patnaik) yesterday. I don't think he knows that PM Nehru put an office next to his in Delhi while Biju Babu was still CM of Odisha to do the tactics and fight the Chinese. I was very young at the time, but I remember how fearless Biju Babu was with the Chinese attack and how much he did to repel it. I think Nishikant Dubey needs some mental doctor's attention for saying these outrageous things," Odisha Leader of Opposition told mediapersons. (ANI)
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