Political Tussle Over Biju Patnaik's Legacy Marks His Death Anniversary in Odisha

The 29th death anniversary of former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik is being observed amidst a intensifying political struggle to appropriate his legacy. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), founded on Patnaik’s principles, continues to claim sole inheritance of his image. However, the political landscape shifted after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed the state government in 2024 under Chief Minister Mohan Majhi. The new administration has altered symbolic markers, including renaming health and infrastructure schemes previously bearing Patnaik’s name and shifting the date of Panchayati Raj Day celebrations. Controversies further fueled the debate, notably when BJP MP Nishikant Dubey made derogatory remarks linking Patnaik to the CIA, forcing an apology. Meanwhile, internal dissent within the BJD and the emergence of new citizen platforms like Odisha Nagarika Manch have complicated the narrative. Despite these contestations, Patnaik remains a towering figure in Odisha’s public imagination, with various groups organizing statewide observances to honor his contributions while vying for political capital associated with his enduring legacy.