Biju Patnaik’s Legacy Sparks Political Clash in Odisha
Bhubaneswar, April 17: The 29th death anniversary of legendary leader Biju Patnaik turned into a political flashpoint in Odisha, with rival camps vying to claim his legacy.
The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, observed the day as “Prabada Purusha Dibasa” across all 147 constituencies, hosting seminars and outreach programmes highlighting Biju’s contributions to the freedom struggle and modern Odisha.
Meanwhile, former BJD stalwarts under the banner Odisha Nagarika Mancha, led by Dilip Ray, organised a parallel event attended by leaders like Bijoy Mohapatra, Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, Amar Satpathy, and Pravat Tripathy.
They asserted that Biju’s legacy belongs to all Odias, not just one party.
The participation of several BJD MLAs who cross-voted in the recent Rajya Sabha elections in favour of Dilip Ray added fuel to speculation about internal dissent and possible realignment in Odisha politics.
In response, senior BJD leader Arun Sahoo insisted that Naveen Patnaik remains the true inheritor of Biju’s legacy, dismissing attempts to politicise the late leader’s name.
This confrontation underscores how Biju Patnaik’s enduring legacy continues to shape Odisha’s political equations nearly three decades after his passing.
