Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly, Naveen Patnaik, on Monday strongly condemned BJP MP Nishikant Dubey for his controversial remarks linking legendary leader Biju Patnaik to Jawaharlal Nehru and the CIA. Patnaik described the statements as “outrageous” and suggested that Dubey needs “mental doctor’s attention.”
Speaking to the media after the Odisha Assembly budget session was adjourned till 11:30 am today, Patnaik shared a personal recollection from his childhood. He was about 13 years old when the 1962 Chinese aggression took place.
“I was surprised to find the outrageous things that Sri Dubey, MP said about Biju Babu yesterday,” Patnaik said. “I don’t think he knows that the Prime Minister, Sri Nehru, put an office next to his in Delhi, while Biju Babu was still the Chief Minister of Odisha, to do the tactics and fight the Chinese.”
He added, “I was very young at the time, about 13 years old. I remember how furious Biju Babu was with the Chinese attack and how much he did to repel it. I think Sri Dubey, MP, needs some mental doctor’s attention for saying these outrageous things.”
Patnaik also raised a separate concern regarding an alleged attack on the residence of a lady BJD MLA, Smt. Mohanty (Manorama Mohanty, MLA from Narla), in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. He described the incident as “shocking” and “totally undemocratic behaviour.”
“A maid was all alone in the house and was deeply insulted. One wonders what is happening to democracy, such things take place,” Patnaik remarked.
The police had visited the MLA’s official residence in connection with a case registered against her husband, Durga Prasad Mohanty, but the BJD has alleged misconduct during the search.
Background of the Controversy
Dubey’s remarks, made on March 27 while criticising the Nehru-Gandhi family, alleged that Biju Patnaik served as a “link” between Nehru, the US government, and the CIA during the 1962 India-China war. He also referenced the development of Charbatia airport in Odisha in this context.
The comments sparked widespread outrage in Odisha, with BJD leaders defending the legacy of Biju Patnaik — a revered freedom fighter, pilot, and former Chief Minister known for his contributions to the state’s industrialisation and national service during critical times.
In protest, BJD Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra resigned from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT, which is chaired by Dubey. Patra termed the remarks “false, baseless, and an insult to history.”
Also, on Monday, after the protesting inside Rajya Sabha, the BJD MPs, led by Dr Patra, walked out in protest from the House on the issue.
Meanwhile, Dubey clarified that he has never made such allegations against Biju Patnaik.
नेहरु गांधी परिवार और कांग्रेस पार्टी की कारगुज़ारियों का सीरीज़ है, बीजू बाबू सम्मानित थे और रहेंगे । मुझे किसी के सर्टिफिकेट की आवश्यकता नहीं है https://t.co/3hQp38Qnia
— Dr Nishikant Dubey (@nishikant_dubey) March 30, 2026
