Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, paid floral tributes to former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik on the occasion of his 28th death anniversary on Thursday.
The leaders gathered at the Odisha Legislative Assembly premises to honor the legendary statesman, freedom fighter, and visionary leader, whose legacy continues to inspire generations across the state.
Taking to social media platform X, Chief Minister Majhi wrote, “Humble tributes to the great public figure, freedom fighter and former Chief Minister of Odisha, Biju Patnaik, on his death anniversary. His contribution towards education and empowerment will always remain an inspiration for all. He was a proud Odia with immense self-esteem.”
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo also posted a tribute on X, stating, “Today, on the occasion of the death anniversary of the illustrious statesman and former Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Biju Patnaik, I offered floral tributes at his statue within the premises of the Odisha Legislative Assembly. The ceremony was graced by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Hon’ble Speaker, fellow Ministers, and Members of the Legislative Assembly. Biju Babu’s towering legacy and visionary leadership continue to guide us as we work toward a prosperous and empowered Odisha.”
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida shared a similar message on X, saying, “In the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri @MohanMOdisha, Hon’ble Speaker, and other Ministers and MLAs, I paid homage to the great public figure, former Chief Minister of Odisha, Biju Patnaik, by offering flowers at his statue in the Assembly premises.”
Separately, several leaders of the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD), led by the party’s coordination committee chairman Debi Prasad Mishra, performed ‘Tila Tarpan’ rituals at Bindu Sagar, a sacred tank near the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar.
Born on March 5, 1916, in Cuttack, Biju Patnaik played a pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle. He was imprisoned several times for his participation in the movement. He served as Chief Minister of Odisha twice—from 1961 to 1963 and again from 1990 to 1995—and held Union portfolios including Steel, Mines, and Coal.
During his political career, he was elected to the Lok Sabha four times, to the Rajya Sabha once, and to the Odisha Assembly seven times.
Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy also paid tribute and described Patnaik as a “towering figure in India’s political history” whose “monumental contributions to the development of Odisha post-Independence” continue to resonate.
“We paid tribute to him in the Vidhan Sabha today,” she said.
