SAMBIT PATRA

Mamata Banerjee hits out at PM Modi for his 'sent by God' comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for declaring himself "sent by God" without directly naming him at an election rally. Banerjee sarcastically questioned if God would endorse actions like orchestrating riots, spreading lies, or halting welfare programs. She also mocked Modi over BJP's claim that Lord Jagannath is a devotee of the PM.

"Are you Odisha CM-in-waiting?" BJD leader VK Pandian answers

Odisha Assembly elections began on May 13 and will continue until June 1, 2024, are being held to elect the 147 members of the Odisha Legislative Assembly. The votes will be counted, and the results will be announced on June 4, 2024. In an interview with ANI, 5T Chairman and BJD leader VK Pandian on Monday responded to the question, "Are you the Chief Minister-in-waiting?" He said, "Not at all, I am just helping Naveen babu as a foot soldier."

In Puri, it's BJD pinning hopes on temple; BJP on PM Modi, Sambit Patra's connect

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a roadshow in Puri following his visit to the Lord Jagannath temple. BJP candidate Sambit Patra, in a media interview, made a controversial statement implying that Lord Jagannath is a devotee of PM Modi, leading to criticism from the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD). Patra later apologized for his remark and announced a three-day fast as atonement. The BJD capitalized on the issue, publishing a full-page ad with Patra's written apology.

Time has come to break arrogance of PM Modi: Pawan Khera

In response to BJP leader Sambit Patra's contentious statement regarding Lord Jagannath, senior Congress leader Pawan Khera has accused the prime minister of assuming a position above divine authority. Khera urged the public to challenge Narendra Modi's perceived arrogance in the upcoming election. Patra's remarks, made in Puri on Monday, suggested that the state's revered deity, Lord Jagannath, is a follower of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

'Just a foot soldier of Naveen Babu…': Bureaucrat-turned-BJD leader VK Pandian denies CM aspirations

BJD moves EC against BJP's Sambit Patra for using Jagannath temple pic in advertisement

Odisha's Biju Janata Dal (BJD) filed a complaint with the Election Commission against BJP's Puri candidate Sambit Patra for using a photo of Sri Jagannath temple in an advertisement, violating the Model Code of Conduct.

'Eat Properly': BJD's Pandian advises Sambit Patra on Upvaas over 'Lord Jagannath is Modi's Bhakt' remark

BJP leader Sambit Patra faced criticism for saying "Lord Jagannath is Modi's bhakt," which he called a "slip of the tongue." BJD's VK Pandian advised him to take care during his three-day fast. Pandian emphasized BJD's stance of keeping religion and politics separate, criticizing BJP for involving Lord Jagannath in political discourse.

Amid row over 'Lord Jagannath' remarks, Puri Lok Sabha seat to vote on May 25

Sambit Patra stirred controversy ahead of the Puri Lok Sabha polling by stating that "Lord Jagannath is a devotee (bhakt) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," a comment he later retracted as a "slip of the tongue." The Puri constituency will vote on May 25 during the sixth phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Odisha, which has 21 Lok Sabha seats, currently sees Patra of BJP, Jaya Narayan of Congress, and BJD's Arup Patnaik vying for the Puri seat, held by BJD's Pinaki Misra. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condemned Patra's remarks, stating they insult "Odia Asmita."

BJP candidate's 'Lord Jagannath devotee of PM' remark sparks stir

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik criticizes BJP's Puri candidate Sambit Patra for calling Lord Jagannath a devotee of PM Modi. Arvind Kejriwal and Ajoy Kumar also condemn the statement. PM Modi and Amit Shah raise Ratna Bhandar issue in Odisha rallies.

Patra's remark on 'Jagannath': Congress asks PM Modi to apologise

Addressing a press conference on the issue at the AICC headquarters here, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said, "It won't be accepted the way they (BJP) are disrespecting the Hindu gods." Patra on Monday had said that Odisha's most revered deity "Lord Jagannath is a devotee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi". He, however, later clarified that it was a slip of tongue and he wanted to mean that the prime minister was an ardent 'bhakt' (devotee) of Lord Jagannath.

"Odisha me pehali baar double engine ki sarkar": PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi rallies in Odisha, targeting the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and promising a "double-engine government" if BJP wins. He urges high voter turnout in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections. Modi emphasizes his connection to Odisha's culture and pays tribute to Jagannath.

BJP's Sambit Patra apologises for his 'Jagannath is Modi's bhakt' comment, says 'will observe fast as penance'

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra sparked controversy by suggesting Lord Jagannath is a devotee of PM Modi after a roadshow in Odisha's Puri. Patra later clarified it was a slip of the tongue, apologizing for the mistake. However, the comment led to widespread condemnation, with Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik calling it an insult to the Lord and millions of devotees. Opposition leaders also criticized the BJP, with Patra's gaffe becoming a focal point in the Odisha elections.

Lord Jagannath is Modi Bhakt: BJP's Sambit Patra faces backlash over remark, apologises

Kangana Ranaut turns politician: 'Queen' star & actor Arun Govil among 111 candidates named by BJP for Lok Sabha Polls

The party fielded Maneka Gandhi from Sultanpur, while Uttar Pradesh minister Jitin Prasada has replaced Varun Gandhi in Pilibhit. Sita Soren will fight from Dumka (Jharkhand).

Dharmendra Pradhan returns to electoral fray after 15 years, visits Jagannath temple

Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who has returned to the electoral fray after 15 years, visited Jagannath temple in Puri to seek blessings from the sibling deities. Pradhan, who is a minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet, has been nominated for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which will be an acid test for him. The BJP will contest the polls without an alliance with the BJD, while Sambit Patra has been re-nominated from Puri.

"Courts believe whatever happened...": Sambit Patra after HC turns down AAP's Kejriwal plea

"After perusing all the documents and evidence on record, the court determined that whatever happened was absolutely according to the law. Two days ago, they (the AAP) tried to take this case to the Supreme Court at midnight. However, Kejriwal had to later withdraw his petition from the SC as well," Patra said.

BJP likely to field Dharamendra Pradhan from Sambhalpur, Sambit Patra from Puri

In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP is likely to field only one of either Varun Gandhi or his mother mother could be again fielded from Sultanpur. The BJP's Central Election Committee attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by the party chief JP Nadda besides several other leaders.

Electoral bonds saga: BJP's Sambit Patra lashes out at Congress on unaccounted transaction funds

Corrupt will go to jail: BJP on Kejriwal's arrest, AAP protest

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said politicians used to scratch each other's back to help each other while indulging in scams but this has changed in the last 10 years under the government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sambit Patra vs Renuka Chowdhury on Congress frozen bank account: 'Signs of defeat or fearless fightback'

'9 Summon, 18 bahane…': BJP slams CM Kejriwal on skipping ED Summons in Delhi liquor scam

"It is AAP's character to do corruption openly...," BJP on arrest of AAP MP Sanjay Singh

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra criticized AAP for engaging in corruption and playing politics when caught. Patra stated that the culprits in the Delhi excise policy case will be caught in order of the magnitude of their fraud. AAP MP Sanjay Singh's arrest is the second high-profile arrest in the case, following former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia's arrest.

Congress stood against anti-conversion law and also working hand in glove with Naxlities: BJP’s Sambit Patra