Rival Events on Biju Patnaik’s Death Anniversary Spark Political Face-off in Odisha
The 29th death anniversary of former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik has become a political flashpoint, with rival camps organizing parallel commemorative events. The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is observing 'Prabada Purusha Dibasa' across 147 constituencies to assert its claim over Patnaik’s legacy. Conversely, a group of sidelined BJD veterans, including former Union Minister Dilip Ray and senior leader Bijoy Mohapatra, have formed the Odisha Nagarika Mancha, a citizens’ forum, to hold a large-scale parallel program. These leaders, many of whom were instrumental in forming the BJD but later marginalized, argue that Patnaik belongs to all of Odisha, not just one party. The event carries significant political weight following Ray’s recent Rajya Sabha victory, where several BJD MLAs cross-voted in his favor. While the forum claims its aim is non-political, focusing on civil society and Patnaik’s vision, the BJD criticizes the move as an attempt to exploit his name for political gain. This confrontation highlights deepening internal dissent within the BJD after losing power following a 24-year rule, with speculation growing about potential new political alignments in the state.
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Rival Events on Biju Patnaik’s Death Anniversary Spark Political Face-off in Odisha
The 29th death anniversary of former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik has become a political flashpoint, with rival camps organizing parallel commemorative events. The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is observing 'Prabada Purusha Dibasa' across 147 constituencies to assert its claim over Patnaik’s legacy. Conversely, a group of sidelined BJD veterans, including former Union Minister Dilip Ray and senior leader Bijoy Mohapatra, have formed the Odisha Nagarika Mancha, a citizens’ forum, to hold a large-scale parallel program. These leaders, many of whom were instrumental in forming the BJD but later marginalized, argue that Patnaik belongs to all of Odisha, not just one party. The event carries significant political weight following Ray’s recent Rajya Sabha victory, where several BJD MLAs cross-voted in his favor. While the forum claims its aim is non-political, focusing on civil society and Patnaik’s vision, the BJD criticizes the move as an attempt to exploit his name for political gain. This confrontation highlights deepening internal dissent within the BJD after losing power following a 24-year rule, with speculation growing about potential new political alignments in the state.
The Indian Express