Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik clarified that he personally decided to form ‘Biju Naveen Inspirational Foundationa trust’ in the name of Biju Patnaik, emphasising that it was created for charitable purposes and not connected to any political party.
Patnaik explained that Biju Babu was widely known for his charitable work, including instituting the Kalinga UNESCO Award to promote science. He recalled that he and his siblings had earlier donated Cuttack’s Anand Bhavan to the people of Odisha.
Detailing the process, Patnaik said he first travelled to Delhi before undergoing a medical operation in Mumbai, where he consulted senior lawyers and chartered accountants. Based on their advice, he resolved to establish a trust in Biju Babu’s name.
He added that the trust began with a small fund of Rs 1 lakh from his personal resources. “This trust has no connection with BJD or any other political party. It will work solely for the welfare of the people of Odisha,” Patnaik stated.
However, senior leader Pramila Mallik earlier claimed that no such trust existed, sparking political debate.
