Pawan Khera 'tendered unconditional apology', claims Assam CM Himanta Sarma

Khera had referred to the prime minister as "Narendra Gautamdas Modi" while criticising the government over the row involving the business conglomerate headed by Gautam Adani.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday claimed that Congress leader Pawan Khera has tendered an unconditional apology, a day after Khera was deplaned.

"The majesty of law shall always prevail. The accused has tendered an unconditional apology. We hope that keeping the sanctity of public spaces, no one will use uncivilised language in political discourse hereafter. Assam Police will follow the matter to its logical end," tweeted Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The Congress on Thursday claimed its senior leader Pawan Khera was deplaned from a flight to Raipur, illegally where he was going to attend the party's plenary session.

The Congress leader, who was in the headlines this week for apparently fumbling on the prime minister's father's name during a press conference, was released on interim bail till February 28 by a Delhi court later in the evening on the directions of the Supreme Court.

Khera said he was not provided the reasons for his arrest or given a copy of the FIR in the matter. "I have deep faith in the judiciary and will not comment on its proceedings," he said, adding that he had always respected the "majesty of law".

Khera had referred to the prime minister as "Narendra Gautamdas Modi" while criticising the government over the row involving the business conglomerate headed by Gautam Adani.

Modi's full name is Narendra Damodardas Modi, with the middle name Damodardas standing for his father's name, a common practice in many parts of the country.

The apparent flub led to strong condemnation from the BJP with its leaders accusing Khera of making fun of the prime minister and his late father.

Who is Pawan Khera?

Pawan Khera is a member of the Indian National Congress party. He has held various positions within the Indian National Congress party, including spokesperson and national secretary.

Khera has been a vocal critic of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its policies.