Marking the 28th death anniversary of former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, BJD president Naveen Patnaik took a subtle swipe at the BJP, accusing the ruling party of attempting to “distort historical narratives.”
Speaking to party members and media, Patnaik urged the central government to prioritize Odisha’s development rather than “undermining the contributions of great sons of the soil.”
“Some are trying to rewrite history, but they must understand—history is the lived memory of a nation. It cannot be reshaped at someone’s convenience,” said Patnaik, in what was widely interpreted as a veiled critique of the BJP.
Responding swiftly, Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal rejected the BJD chief’s remarks as politically motivated and inappropriate for the solemn occasion.
“Today should be about honoring Biju Patnaik’s legacy, not making political statements,” Samal said. He further questioned whether Naveen Patnaik was personally behind the comments, suggesting he may have been misinformed or merely reading prepared statements.
The political spat unfolds amid growing signs of discord within the BJD. Internal divisions have come to light, most recently at a gathering of senior party leaders in a Bhubaneswar hotel, sparking speculation about leadership struggles in Odisha’s dominant regional party.
