BJD Supremo Naveen Patnaik strongly criticized the BJP government for its decision not to celebrate Panchayati Raj Diwas

Bhubaneswar:5/3/25: BJD Supremo and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik today strongly criticized the BJP government for its decision not to celebrate Panchayati Raj Diwas today.

The State Government has decided to celebrate the day on National Panchayati Raj Diwas on April 24. The new Government has also cancelled the public holiday on 5 March.  This decision of the BJP Government was strongly protested by the Opposition BJD.

Shri Patnaik paid floral tributes to his father and former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik at his statue at Forest Park and then addressed a party meeting organised at Sankha Bhawan in this regard.

“The picture of a Tall Man with a large heart filled with courage and compassion comes to our mind. He was the pillar of faith for four and half crore people of Odisha. I said earlier Biju Babu is an idea in continuity, an idea of realizing the breadth of human aspirations, an idea of Odia self-esteem, selfless service and empowerment,” Shri Patnaik said.

It is very unfortunate that just after coming to power in Odisha, the BJP government tried to change the name of the Biju Krida Puraskar. Faced with strong protests from people, they were forced to go back on their decision, he pointed out.

Recently, there have been shameful incidents, across the state, of statues of Legendary Biju Patnaik being broken. No action has been taken by the government to   punish the culprits, the LoP said.

On the decision to change the Panchayati Raj Diwas celebration from 5 March to 24 April , the BJD Supremo said, “Since 1993, 5 March was been celebrated in Odisha as Panchayati Raj Diwas. For more than 30 years the State has celebrated Panchayati Raj Diwas on 5 March. What is the reason for such a decision?”

“You can change the names of awards, deface his statues, change the dates, but you cannot take away the love and affection that people of Odisha have for Biju Babu. He lives in people’s hearts.  How will you change that ?,” he asked.

Stating that these incidents have only increased the love and respect that people have for Biju Babu, Shri Patnaik reminded the party workers about his decision to shift Biju Babu’s Aamadhi when Puri Swarga Dwar was being renovated.

“When there was an issue of shifting Biju Babu’s Samadhi from there. It was brought to my notice, wanting me, to say no. But I had replied at that time – Please tell them to shift it. Biju Babu lives in the hearts of people not in stones and brick monuments,” he further said.

He said the BJP government has decided to shift the dates of Panchayati Raj Diwas in an attempt to erase the legacy of the great Biju Patnaik.

“Can you close Paradip Port? Can you close Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Sunabeda ? Can you close NTPC, Talcher ? Can you close OUAT and NIT, Rourkela? Can you deny reservation for women in Panchayat bodies as Biju Babu started it?,” Shri Patnaik counter questioned the BJP government.

The former Chief Minister further alleged that the BJP Government is now trying to change the name of Biju Patnaik International Airport.

“Can you erase the history that Biju Babu is a freedom fighter and was in jail for India’s independence? From how many projects will you erase his legacy?, he further asked while saying, “This speaks of immature politics and small minds.”

Biju Babu did not enter politics for the sake of position. His commitment for the development of Odisha, the glory of Odisha and the pride of Odia brought him into politics, he pointed out.

Be it the Indonesian liberation struggle or the UNESCO Kalinga Award, the identity of the Odia nation, he took it to new heights.

Shri Patnaik said Biju Babu created history in the country by empowering the Panchayati Raj System by providing 33 percent reservation for women. He emphasized on giving power to the people. He was called the Sarpanch as the Chief Minister of the village. It speaks a lot about his deep commitment for an empowered Panchyati Raj system.

“In fact, a healthy Panchayati Raj system reflects the strength of our democracy. Biju Babu’s contribution to strengthening the Panchayati Raj system cannot be ignored. For some years now, some people have been trying to distort history,” he alleged.

But people will never let them succeed. History is the open book of time and Future will evaluate it impartially, the LoP said.

“Governments will come, governments will go. But Biju Babu is and will always be in the hearts of all Odias and the Odia nation will be proud of his contribution and will continue to inspire future generations,” the ex-CM said.

Reacting to Shri Patnaik’s statement, State BJP Vice-President Biranchi Narayan Tripathy said the BJP government is providing all due respect to all heroes and freedom fighters from the soil. “We cannot promote only Biju Babu like the BJD was doing. We are equally treating all our Baraputras. The Panchayati Raj Diwas will be celebrated on April 24 as it is being celebrated nation-wide,” Shri Tripathy said.