Bhubaneswar: Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra has resigned from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT, protesting remarks made by BJP leader Nishikant Dubey about legendary Odisha leader Biju Patnaik.
In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on Saturday, Patra wrote, “In protest, and as a matter of principle, I am resigning from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT under the Chairmanship of Shri Nishikant Dubey. I cannot, in good conscience, continue to serve under someone who makes disrespectful remarks about Late Shri. Biju Patnaik ji as he did today in a public statement.”
Patra requested that his resignation be accepted and forwarded to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, as the Committee functions under the Lok Sabha.
Taking to his X handle, Patra expressed deep shock over Dubey’s statement, describing it as “outrageous, false and irresponsible insinuations” against Biju Patnaik, a towering freedom fighter, visionary leader, and son of the soil whose contribution to the nation is beyond question.
“Such attempts to distort history and malign a revered leader for political narratives are unacceptable and condemnable,” Patra added.
Calling Biju Patnaik a national icon, Patra said his legacy “will always stand taller than petty politics.”
Several other BJD leaders also voiced objections to Dubey’s remarks. MP Subhasish Khuntia said, “I unequivocally denounce the egregious and deeply irresponsible statements made by Nishikant Dubey against the legendary Biju Patnaik. Such unfounded, ill-conceived assertions constitute a grave affront to an illustrious freedom fighter and an enduring symbol of Odisha, as well as the nation’s pride and valor.”
The controversy stems from remarks made by Dubey on March 27, when he claimed that during the 1962 war with China, Jawaharlal Nehru acted with American support and CIA collaboration, while Biju Patnaik, then Chief Minister of Odisha, acted as a link between the US government, the CIA, and Nehru.
