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On the campaign trail in Odisha, BJP’s Sambit Patra uttered a couple of words that should make any democracy-loving Indian’s heart stop. Patra is the party’s candidate for Puri and contesting against BJD’s Pinaki Mishra, a three-time MP. On Patra’s candidacy, Mishra quoted a pretty solid burn from Twitter, “BJP promised Narendra Modi, delivered Sambit Patra, typical of BJP governance.” 🔥🔥🔥 Except, Patra then responded with this: “Each (BJP) candidate contesting across India represents a miniature version of Modi. We are fighting not with our name. We are fighting with the name of our Supreme Leader, Narendra Modi.”

Patra may have mistaken Odisha for North Korea, but the phrase ‘Supreme Leader’ instantly put Indians on edge.

@giri1478@roy_eat am I hearing it right? Did he just say supreme leader Narendra Modi? https://t.co/8gRhu7jq0i — Sagar सागर ساگر (@Sagar4000) April 10, 2019

Many started tweeting dire warnings of what the use of the phrase meant.

They've started calling him Supreme Leader already.#SaveDemocracy before it's too late. https://t.co/i0pDyPFfaA — Subham IND (@theSnivelIndian) April 10, 2019

Wait what he called him, "SUPREME LEADER".Please note the early signs of dictatorship https://t.co/7bj8dWO6bd — Anuradha (@Anuradh19436353) April 10, 2019

It also prompted comparisons to North Korea and 1940s Germany, both not exactly known for their commitment to democracy. 👀

They are behaving like what used to be in Fuhrer's Germany #Supreme leader — Janta Janardhan (@janardhan_janta) April 10, 2019

what is Supreme Leader

are we in North Korea ?? — Syed Ikramuddin (@khizar_rehan) April 10, 2019

“Supreme Leader” the fascist intent can’t be more obvious. https://t.co/GGjIGWHTpt — Kiran Kumar (@kirankxk) April 10, 2019

Modi is our 'supreme leader' and all BJP candidates are his 'miniature versions', says Patra. I am already imagining so many tiny Kim Jong-uns. https://t.co/xc3knMZXxg — Vineet (@vineet1232) April 10, 2019

The ease with which Patra, a national spokesperson of the ruling party, called the prime minister a ‘supreme leader’ is unnerving. The BJP is not known for its ability to receive criticism gracefully or engage in dialogue with critics. The prime minister has famously not held a single press conference since he took over. The government and its ministers have also been shooting down any questions raised by opposition leaders on its policy and national security decisions, decrying them as “anti-national” or “anti-India”. Many of the comments politicians make during election season can get drowned out in the sheer mass of coverage. But comments like these should make us sit up and take notice since, even if Patra chooses to air his hallucinations, we are still a democracy. It’s going to be a long two months. Let’s stay sharp, guys.

You can watch the full exchange below: