“Keep Gods outside politics…” VK Pandian aims at Sambit Patra's ‘slip of tongue’ on Lord Jagannath

May 21, 2024

Bhubaneshwar (Odisha), May 21 (ANI): Following outrage over BJP leader Sambit Patra's remark that "Lord Jagannath is Modi's bhakt", for which he announced to undertake a penance by observing fast for three days, 5T Chairman and BJD leader VK Pandian said that Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was hurt by the BJP leader’s remark. However, Patra should take care and eat properly because of prevailing heat and dust. "...BJP is talking about Odia Asmita and Lord Jagannath is the symbol of Odia Asmita. CM Naveen Patnaik has always felt that we should keep our Gods outside politics. They are immortal and we are mortal, why we should mix both?... He felt hurt when this statement was given. He (Naveen Patnaik) is genuinely upset that Lord Jagannath has been dragged into this election so much. People of Odisha don't like dragging religion or Mahaprabhu Jagannath in the elections... It is not the first time, it has happened. They did the same in the 2019 Panchayat Elections, they always link something or the other with religion, Lord Jagannath...BJP is trying to electorally hit BJD and Naveen Patnaik by finding out something or the other. It is a political strategy they are trying to do," said VK Pandian