Bhubaneswar, March 6: Leaders cutting across party lines Saturday raised the demand for Bharat Ratna to visionary Biju Babu on his birth centenary year.
BJP leader Dillip Ray said, “Biju Patnaik was an institution and not an individual. Leaders of all parties now join the chorus to demand Bharat Ratna for the great leader.”
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram also heaped rich praises on the legendary leader of the State and said, “Biju Babu did not belong to the Odias only.”
BJD MP Baijayant Panda has demanded the highest civilian honour for the great leader and installation of a statue in the Central Hall of the Parliament.
The BJD and leaders of other parties have been demanding the honour for the architect of Modern Odisha for long.
