Political storm escalates over break in Biju birth anniv-Panchayat Divas link
Bhubaneswar: CM Mohan Charan Majhi-led govt’s decision to dissociate Panchayati Raj Divas from Biju Patnaik‘s birth anniversary on March 5 has escalated into a major political storm with former CM Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday terming the decision as an attempt to “erase Biju Babu’s legacy“.
Majhi, on his part, recalled Biju Babu’s contribution to Odisha’s industrialisation, while panchayati raj minister Rabi Narayan Naik said the BJP govt will ensure Biju Babu gets all the respect he deserves.
The govt has moved Panchayati Raj Divas celebrations to April 24 to align the celebration with National Panchayati Raj Day and withdrawn the official holiday marking Biju’s birth anniversary.
Addressing a Biju birth anniversary event at the BJD office, Naveen criticised the govt’s decision not to celebrate the occasion as Panchayati Raj Divas, stating that “you cannot take away the love and affection that people of Odisha have for Biju Babu”.
“The name Biju Babu fills every Odia’s heart with pride and courage,” Naveen said, describing his father as “a tall man with a large heart filled with courage and compassion” who served as “the pillar of faith for four and a half crore people of Odisha”.
The BJD chief pointed out that March 5 has been celebrated as Panchayati Raj Divas in Odisha since 1993. “For more than 30 years, the state has celebrated this day. What is the reason for such a decision now?” he questioned, pointing out the govt’s decision to celebrate Panchayati Raj Divas on April 24, aligning with the national calendar.
Naveen, also leader of the opposition, highlighted recent incidents of vandalism targeting Biju’s statues, alleging govt inaction against perpetrators. He recalled the BJP govt’s earlier attempt to rename the Biju sports awards, which was withdrawn following protests.
Challenging the BJP govt’s attempts to “erase the legacy” of Biju, he listed his father’s contributions to the state, including the establishment of Paradip port, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Sunabeda, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) in Talcher, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), and NIT-Rourkela. He also emphasised Biju’s role in introducing women’s reservation in panchayat bodies.
“Biju Babu is not just a state leader or national leader, but an international leader,” Naveen asserted, adding that his father’s legacy extends beyond physical monuments to the hearts of Odia people. He dismissed these actions as “immature politics and narrow minds”, maintaining that attempts to distort history would not succeed as “history is an open book, and the future will judge impartially”.
CM Majhi reaffirmed his government’s commitment to fulfilling the unrealized vision of legendary leader Biju Patnaik, while criticising Naveen’s absence at the state-level birth anniversary celebrations. “Biju Babu remains a guiding light for Odisha, and every step he took continues to inspire us,” Majhi said. He accused the previous administration of failing to implement Biju’s vision despite campaigning on that promise.
Addressing recent concerns, the CM confirmed that three persons have been arrested in connection with the vandalism of Biju Patnaik’s statue in Cuttack district. Majhi revealed plans to revive the Kalinga Football Cup, a sporting event originally initiated by Biju Patnaik. He also assured the continuation of the prestigious Unesco Kalinga Prize, another of the late leader’s notable contributions.
Majhi, on his part, recalled Biju Babu’s contribution to Odisha’s industrialisation, while panchayati raj minister Rabi Narayan Naik said the BJP govt will ensure Biju Babu gets all the respect he deserves.
The govt has moved Panchayati Raj Divas celebrations to April 24 to align the celebration with National Panchayati Raj Day and withdrawn the official holiday marking Biju’s birth anniversary.
Addressing a Biju birth anniversary event at the BJD office, Naveen criticised the govt’s decision not to celebrate the occasion as Panchayati Raj Divas, stating that “you cannot take away the love and affection that people of Odisha have for Biju Babu”.
“The name Biju Babu fills every Odia’s heart with pride and courage,” Naveen said, describing his father as “a tall man with a large heart filled with courage and compassion” who served as “the pillar of faith for four and a half crore people of Odisha”.
The BJD chief pointed out that March 5 has been celebrated as Panchayati Raj Divas in Odisha since 1993. “For more than 30 years, the state has celebrated this day. What is the reason for such a decision now?” he questioned, pointing out the govt’s decision to celebrate Panchayati Raj Divas on April 24, aligning with the national calendar.
Naveen, also leader of the opposition, highlighted recent incidents of vandalism targeting Biju’s statues, alleging govt inaction against perpetrators. He recalled the BJP govt’s earlier attempt to rename the Biju sports awards, which was withdrawn following protests.
Challenging the BJP govt’s attempts to “erase the legacy” of Biju, he listed his father’s contributions to the state, including the establishment of Paradip port, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Sunabeda, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) in Talcher, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), and NIT-Rourkela. He also emphasised Biju’s role in introducing women’s reservation in panchayat bodies.
“Biju Babu is not just a state leader or national leader, but an international leader,” Naveen asserted, adding that his father’s legacy extends beyond physical monuments to the hearts of Odia people. He dismissed these actions as “immature politics and narrow minds”, maintaining that attempts to distort history would not succeed as “history is an open book, and the future will judge impartially”.
CM Majhi reaffirmed his government’s commitment to fulfilling the unrealized vision of legendary leader Biju Patnaik, while criticising Naveen’s absence at the state-level birth anniversary celebrations. “Biju Babu remains a guiding light for Odisha, and every step he took continues to inspire us,” Majhi said. He accused the previous administration of failing to implement Biju’s vision despite campaigning on that promise.
Addressing recent concerns, the CM confirmed that three persons have been arrested in connection with the vandalism of Biju Patnaik’s statue in Cuttack district. Majhi revealed plans to revive the Kalinga Football Cup, a sporting event originally initiated by Biju Patnaik. He also assured the continuation of the prestigious Unesco Kalinga Prize, another of the late leader’s notable contributions.
