India, Jan. 7 -- A day after his remarks on late former Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh sparked a political backlash, state BJP chief Ravindra Chavan on Tuesday apologised, claiming his statement had been misinterpreted.

Chavan's comments, made during a BJP campaign rally in Latur ahead of the civic polls scheduled on January 15, drew sharp criticism from the Congress and members of the Deshmukh family. Addressing voters on Monday, Chavan had said that it was time to "wipe out" the political legacy and memories of Vilasrao Deshmukh from his hometown.

The remarks triggered strong reactions from the Congress, which accused the BJP of attempting to belittle the contributions of a leader who served two terms as CM and played a ...