Mumbai, Feb. 18 -- Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Tuesday apologised for his remarks referring to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Tipu Sultan, saying his statement was "deliberately taken out of context and distorted" by BJP leaders and that he had no intention of hurting anyone's sentiments. In a post on X, Sapkal said, "My 70-second remark was about the idea that displaying photographs of various great leaders together in government offices should not create division in society, but instead convey a message of unity. Unfortunately, one word from that statement was deliberately taken out of context and distorted. Misleading campaigns were run on social media, attributing to me words I never spoke and creating a false impression that I had compared Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with someone else," Sapkal said. Sapkal accused the BJP of spreading misinformation with the intention of creating religious tension. "I strongly condemn the BJP in this matter. Due to their malicious and mischievous propaganda, the sentiments of some devotees of Shivaji were hurt, and for that, I express my sincere regret. I apologise to all Shivaji devotees for the misuse and misrepresentation of my words. It was never my intention to hurt anyone's feelings," he added. The controversy erupted after a portrait of Tipu Sultan was displayed in the office of Malegaon Municipal Corporation's newly elected deputy mayor, Shan-e-Hind Ahmed, a Muslim. The BJP, Shiv Sena and other right-wing groups opposed the move. In response, Sapkal on Saturday drew parallels between the two rulers, stating that Tipu Sultan had fought the British and should be regarded as a courageous warrior like Shivaji Maharaj. The BJP and some affiliated outfits alleged that Sapkal was glorifying a ruler they accuse of persecuting Hindus. The Shiv Sena (UBT) also said he should not have made the comparison....