‘Lord Jagannath Bhakt of PM Modi’: BJP's Sambit Patra sparks major controversy; Congress says ‘attack on Odisha Asmita’

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sambit Patra on Monday sparked a major controversy while speaking with reporters during the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha election 2024 and the second phase of the Odisha Assembly election. While speaking about Odisha's culture, Sambit Patra said that “Lord Jagannath is a devotee of PM Modi". His remarks drew a sharp reaction from Opposition parties, with the local Congress unit calling it a direct attack on Odisha ‘Asmita’ (pride).

"According to - "Modi's bhakt is Jagannath".. It's a direct attack on Odia Asmita...... We want Sambit to apologies with folded hands in front of National Media and Each and every citizen of Odisha. It's very derogatory... You should mind your language (sic)," the Odisha Congress said in a post on X and shared the video.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik slammed Sambit Patra for insulting Lord Jagannatha and said that the BJP leader's remark demeaned the faith of crores of people. 

"Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannatha is the Lord of Universe. Calling Mahaprabhu a bhakt of another human being is an insult to the Lord. This has hurt the sentiments and demeaned the faith of crores of Jagannatha bhaktas and Odias across the world," Patnaik said in a post on X. 

Sambit Patra's controversial remarks came on the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself prayed at Odisha's Lord Jagannath Temple (Lord Srijagannath in Puri). "I prayed to Lord Srijagannath in Puri. May His blessings always be upon us and guide us to reach new heights of progress," PM Modi said in a post on X. 

The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress will try to corner the BJP on Sambit Patra's remarks, which came in the middle of high-voltage elections. 

PM Modi is holding multiple rallies in the state and