Bhubaneswar, April 10 The BJD announced on Friday that it will observe the death anniversary of former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik on April 17 as 'Parbad Purusha Divas' (Legendary Leader Day).
Addressing a press conference, BJD senior vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra said, "Party leaders will observe Biju Patnaik's death anniversary this year as 'Parbad Purusha Divas' across the state. Leaders at different levels, from block to district and assembly segment, are directed to observe the day in a significant way."
Fondly remembered as 'Parbad Purusha', Biju Patnaik died on April 17, 1997.
Mishra said that various activities such as floral tributes, blood donation camps, intellectual discussions, and other social works will be carried out on that day. He said that the BJD has been observing the day every year as it carries the Biju legacy.
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which carries the name of Biju Patnaik, ruled Odisha for 24 years from 2000 to 2024.
Mishra said that instructions have been given to conduct intellectual discussions on the topic of Biju Babu's role in the freedom struggle and the making of modern Odisha. Leaders of the party's frontal organizations will assist in organizing these events.
Meanwhile, a group of senior leaders such as Bijoy Mohapatra, Pravat Tripathy, Amar Satpaty, and others, some of whom were founding members of the BJD but were later expelled by Naveen Patnaik, announced on Friday that they will organize a massive memorial meeting to pay tribute to Biju Patnaik.
These leaders identify themselves with the 'Biju legacy' and claim that the BJD, headed by Naveen Patnaik, lacked the "ideology" of the legendary leaders.
Former BJD MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik said that leaders who respect Biju Patnaik will join a new platform called 'Odisha Nagarik Manch' to pay tribute to the legendary leader. The initiative aims to bring together individuals who genuinely love Odisha and are committed to protecting the state's interests and self-respect, as Biju Patnaik, he said.
In response to a question, Patnaik said, "Is the Biju legacy only for his son? Biju Patnaik was a great hero of Odisha and therefore belongs to all who love Odia pride."
Meanwhile, BJD MLA and former minister Arun Kumar Sahoo criticised the group of leaders who claim to be torchbearers of the Biju legacy.
"The people of Odisha have already certified who carries the Biju legacy. It is a fact that people of the state respect Biju Patnaik. But claiming his legacy and using it for politics is not acceptable. Their (expelled leaders) only aim is to break the BJD as a B-Team of the BJP in Odisha," Sahoo alleged.