Bhubaneswar: BJD president Naveen Patnaik Wednesday slammed the ruling BJP saying that its government in Odisha of indulging in “immature politics with small minds.”
Addressing party workers on the 109th birth anniversary of former chief minister Biju Patnaik, he said for the past three decades, Odisha has observed Panchayati Raj Divas on March 5 to mark Biju Babu’s birthday.
But, the BJP government has now stopped this practice and shifted the date to April 24, the former Chief Minister said.
Expressing strong disapproval, he added, “Let me say one thing. You (BJP government) can change the names of awards, deface his (Biju Babu’s) statues, and change the dates—but you cannot take away the love and affection that the people of Odisha have for Biju Babu. He lives in their hearts. How will you change that?”
Patnaik also criticised the BJP government for attempting to rename the Biju Krida Puraskar shortly after coming to power.
the BJD president, younger son of Biju Patnaik, condemned recent incidents of vandalism against statues of the late leader.
“Statues of Biju Babu have been broken across the state, yet no action has been taken against the culprits, he added.
He asserted that these incidents have only strengthened the people’s love and respect for Biju Patnaik.
Patnaik also recalled how he shifted the ‘samadhi’ (memorial) of Biju Patnaik from Puri’s Swarga Dwar because of public interest.
“It was brought to my notice, with the expectation that I would say no. But I told them to shift it. Biju Babu lives in people’s hearts, not in stones and brick monuments.”
Accusing the BJP government of attempting to erase Biju Patnaik’s legacy, he asked, “Can you shut down Paradip Port? Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Sunabeda? NTPC, Talcher? OUAT and NIT, Rourkela?”
Highlighting the BJP government’s actions, he questioned, “Can you deny reservation for women in panchayat bodies when it was Biju Babu who introduced it? Now, they are even trying to change the name of Biju Patnaik International Airport. Can you erase the fact that Biju Babu was a freedom fighter who was jailed for independence? This is nothing but immature politics and small-mindedness.”
