2 months ago
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Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Rajya Sabha subordinate Sasmit Patra connected Saturday (March 28, 2026) resigned from the Parliamentary Standing Committee connected IT and Communications, protesting sheet chairperson Nishikant Dubey’s disparaging remarks against Biju Patnaik.
Mr. Dubey, speaking to reporters connected Friday (March 27, 2026), had alleged that the erstwhile Odisha Chief Minister was a “link” betwixt the U.S. government, the CIA, and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Mr. Dubey further alleged that Biju Patnaik provided patronage to the Charbatia aerial basal successful Odisha, which was utilized by the U.S.
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is named aft Biju Patnaik, who served arsenic the Chief Minister of Odisha twice, from 1961 to 1963 and 1990 to 1995. He was besides a starring state fighter, a aviator who was known for his engagement successful daring operations specified arsenic flying into Jakarta to rescue Indonesian independency leaders successful 1947 and for participating successful the Stalingrad Operation during World War II.
Mr. Dubey, targeting India’s archetypal Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru connected Friday (March 27, 2026), had alleged that the 1962 warfare against China was fought utilizing “American money” and successful “collaboration” with CIA agents. He said, “Biju Patnaik, the past Chief Minister of Odisha, was a nexus betwixt the U.S. government, the CIA, and Nehru... I released 2 of Nehru’s letters contiguous successful which helium is telling his officials, particularly the past American ambassador, to bash their job. Nehru told the officials the authorities had sent Patnaik (to the U.S.) for important work, and helium is talking astir defence matters.”
He further alleged Patnaik’s relation successful helping acceptable up U.S. aerial basal successful Odisha. “Then determination was the Charbatia aerial basal successful Odisha, successful which Biju Patnaik ji was involved, built for U-2 spy planes. That craft basal was utilized by the U.S. betwixt 1963 and 1979. The Congress could not person carried retired a bigger onslaught connected ideology than this. It should apologise,” helium added.
Hitting retired astatine Mr. Dubey, Mr. Patra said helium was attempting to distort past and malign a “revered leader” for governmental gains.
“Deeply shocked and anguished by the outrageous, false, and irresponsible insinuations made against Biju Patnaik ji — a towering state fighter, visionary leader, and lad of the ungraded whose publication to the federation is beyond question,” helium wrote connected X connected Saturday (March 28, 2026).
While announcing his resignation from the parliamentary sheet headed by Mr. Dubey, Mr. Patra said helium could not service nether idiosyncratic who made specified disrespectful remarks astir a nationalist icon. “The bequest of Biju Patnaik ji volition ever basal taller than petty politics,” helium said.
