Bhubaneswar, March 5: Naveen Patnaik, Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister of Odisha, on Wednesday launched a strong attack on the BJP-led state government, accusing it of attempting to erase the legacy of his father, legendary leader Biju Patnaik, also known as Biju Babu.
Naveen Patnaik criticized the government for changing the celebration date of Panchayati Raj Diwas from March 5, Biju Patnaik’s birth anniversary, to April 24. Speaking at a special program in honor of his father’s 109th birth anniversary, Patnaik said, “You have changed the date to erase Biju Patnaik’s legacy. Can you shut down Paradip Port, HAL, NTPC, or deny women’s reservation in Panchayat bodies, all of which Biju Babu initiated?”
Patnaik pointed out that Odisha had been celebrating March 5 as Panchayati Raj Diwas since 1993 and questioned the reasoning behind the change.
He also accused the government of attempting to rename the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar and claimed that efforts to rename the Biju Krida Puraskar were reversed only after public protests. Patnaik condemned the government for not punishing those responsible for vandalizing Biju Patnaik’s statues at Mahanga in the Cuttack district.
Patnaik said, “You can change awards, deface statues, and alter dates, but you cannot erase the love people of Odisha have for Biju Babu. He lives in their hearts.”
Patnaik underscored Biju Babu’s pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle and his contributions to empowering the Panchayati Raj system and introducing 33% reservation for women in Odisha.
