The 29th death anniversary of Biju Patnaik has triggered a major political face-off in Odisha, with rival groups planning parallel events to honour the iconic leader.
While the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) continues its traditional observance, a separate platform of former party heavyweights has emerged, signalling deeper political churn in the state.
BJD Observes ‘Prabada Purusha Dibasa’ Across State
The BJD, led by Naveen Patnaik, is marking the day as ‘Prabada Purusha Dibasa’ across all 147 constituencies.
The party has organised:
- Seminars on Biju Patnaik’s role in India’s freedom struggle
- Discussions on his contribution to modern Odisha
- Statewide outreach programmes to highlight his legacy
Dilip Ray-Led Camp Plans Parallel Mega Event
In a significant development, a group of sidelined leaders has come together under the banner of Odisha Nagarika Mancha to organise a parallel large-scale event.
Key leaders involved include:
- Dilip Ray
- Bijoy Mohapatra
- Soumya Ranjan Patnaik
- Amar Satpathy
- Pravat Tripathy
These leaders, once influential figures within the BJD, claim that Biju Patnaik’s legacy belongs to all Odias, not any single political party.
Cross-Voting MLAs Add Political Heat
The situation has intensified after several BJD MLAs who cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha elections in favour of Dilip Ray announced their participation in the parallel event.
Senior leader Bijoy Mohapatra stated:
“People who admire Biju Babu will come together to deliberate on his ideologies. We have invited everyone. There is nothing political about it.”
However, the participation of cross-voting MLAs has raised questions about internal dissent within the BJD.
Signs of Emerging Political Realignment?
Political observers believe the regrouping of these leaders—especially after Dilip Ray’s Rajya Sabha victory—could signal the beginning of a new political alignment in Odisha.
Many of these leaders had originally united to form the BJD after Biju Patnaik’s demise in 1997 but were later marginalised. Their renewed collaboration is being seen as a potential platform for dissatisfied voices within the party.
BJD Hits Back, Defends Legacy Claim
The BJD has strongly criticised the parallel event, asserting that Naveen Patnaik remains the true inheritor of Biju Patnaik’s legacy.
Senior BJD leader Arun Sahoo said attempts to use Biju Patnaik’s name for political gain would not succeed.
Why This Matters
The developments highlight a critical phase in Odisha politics, where legacy, leadership, and internal dissent are intersecting. What began as a tribute has now evolved into a potential turning point for political equations in the state.
