Mar 05, 2025 04:52 PM IST
Alleging that the choice was an try to erase the legacy of his father Biju Patnaik, the BJD chief additionally questioned the rationale behind altering a practice that has been adopted for over 30 years.
Former Odisha chief minister and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Occasion (BJP) authorities within the state for not celebrating March 5 as Panchayati Raj Diwas, the birthday of veteran chief Biju Patnaik.
Veteran Odisha chief and freedom fighter Biju Patnaik. (HT File Photograph)
Alleging that the choice was an try to erase the legacy of his father, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief additionally questioned the rationale behind altering a practice that has been adopted for over 30 years.
“For more than three decades, Odisha has celebrated Panchayati Raj Diwas on March 5. What is the reason for this decision? You can change the names of awards, deface his statues and alter the dates, but you cannot take away the love and affection that people have for Biju Babu. He lives in the hearts of the people,” Patnaik stated whereas attending a perform in BJD’s workplace to rejoice the beginning anniversary of his father.
Patnaik stated the BJP, below chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, is participating in “immature politics and small-minded actions” by repeatedly focusing on the legacy of Biju Patnaik.
“Can the BJP shut down Paradip Port, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd in Sunabeda, NTPC in Talcher, or institutions like OUAT and NIT Rourkela — projects that bear Biju Patnaik’s imprint? Now, they are trying to change the name of Biju Patnaik International Airport. Can you erase the history that Biju Babu was a freedom fighter who went to jail for India’s independence? How many projects will you attempt to erase his legacy from?” he requested.
The BJD has additionally introduced state-wide protests from Thursday over this.
Responding to Patnaik’s remarks, state BJP president Manmohan Samal stated the previous CM ought to reply why his authorities had stopped holding ‘gram sabha’ and ‘palli sabha’ conferences since 2011.
“The BJD government had finished the Panchayati Raj system, and they got the response (of citizens) in the 2024 (state) polls,” Samal stated.
Really useful Matters Information / Cities / Different Cities / Odisha: Naveen Patnaik slams BJP govt’s transfer to alter Panchayati Raj Diwas date
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