Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday announced that it will observe the death anniversary of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik on April 17 as ‘Prabad Purusha Divas’ across the state.
Addressing a press conference here, BJD vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra said the party has directed its leaders at all levels — from block to district and assembly constituency — to observe the day in a grand manner.
“Party leaders will pay floral tributes, organise blood donation camps, hold intellectual discussions and carry out various social service activities on the occasion,” Mishra said. He added that the BJD has been observing Biju Patnaik’s death anniversary every year to keep alive the rich legacy of the legendary leader.
The Biju Janata Dal, which carries the name of Biju Patnaik, ruled Odisha continuously for 24 years from 2000 to 2024.Mishra further informed that the party has asked its units to organise intellectual discussions on the topic ‘Biju Babu’s role in the freedom struggle and the making of modern Odisha’. Leaders of the party’s frontal organisations have been tasked with assisting in these programmes.
Meanwhile, a group of senior leaders, including Bijoy Mohapatra, Pravat Tripathy, Amar Satpathy and others — many of whom were founder members of the BJD but were later expelled by Naveen Patnaik — announced plans to organise a massive memorial meeting to pay rich tributes to Biju Patnaik.
These leaders, who strongly identify themselves with the ‘Biju legacy’, claimed that the present BJD under Naveen Patnaik has deviated from the original ideology of the legendary leader.
Former BJD MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik said several leaders who have genuine respect for Biju Patnaik will come together on a new platform called ‘Odisha Nagarik Manch’ to pay tribute to the great son of the soil.
“The initiative aims to unite all those who truly love Odisha and are committed to protecting the state’s interests and self-respect, just as Biju Patnaik did,” Patnaik said.
Responding to a question on the ownership of Biju’s legacy, Soumya Ranjan Patnaik remarked, “Is the Biju legacy only for his son? Biju Patnaik was a great hero of Odisha and therefore belongs to everyone who loves Odia pride and self-respect.”
