2 months ago
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For a suave politician similar Naveen Patnaik, the remark, “I deliberation the MP [Nishikant Dubey] needs immoderate intelligence doctor’s attention”, and Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra stepping down from a parliamentary lasting committee whitethorn look disproportionate responses to what was described arsenic a ‘distasteful’ remark connected the legendary Biju Patnaik by a BJP MP known for making arguable remarks.
However, for leaders of the Biju Janata Dal, specified a absorption was some inevitable and non-negotiable, fixed that the party’s precise instauration rests connected the bequest of Biju Patnaik’s achievements. Although BJP leaders similar Baijayant Panda and Dilip Ray issued statements eulogising legendary person and his publication to nation, they stopped abbreviated of outright condemnation oregon calling for enactment against him.
Since then, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has taken to the streets, regaining immoderate governmental crushed amid the contention pursuing its Rajya Sabha setback. The party’s leaders person sought to reconnect with the nationalist aft Biju Patnaik, revered crossed enactment lines for his relation successful shaping modern Odisha, was portrayed successful a mediocre light. They besides targeted BJP leaders for their soundlessness connected the issue.
Veteran BJD person Ranendra Pratap Swain moved a question titled “Defamatory and mendacious connection pronounced against Biju Babu and thereby hurting the pridefulness of Odiyas” successful the Odisha Legislative Assembly for discussion.
The Assembly connected Tuesday (March 31, 2026) witnessed uproarious country with BJD MLAs shouting implicit the remarks. They insisted that a solution condemning the remarks beryllium passed by the House.
“This has surely fixed fodder to the BJD to enactment successful circulation, much importantly by invoking a consciousness of victimhood. For decades, the legendary Biju Patnaik remained supra governmental contention for the radical of Odisha. Terming him a CIA conduit is not lone distasteful but besides damaging for the BJP, which present appears to beryllium struggling to support its ain MP,” said elder writer and governmental commentator Rabi Das.
“None of the BJP’s towering leaders specified arsenic Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani, oregon Prime Minister Narendra Modi ever made remarks that formed Biju Patnaik successful a mediocre light. He symbolised Odia asmita [pride]. I neglect to recognize what the BJP stands to summation by criticising the stature of a erstwhile Odisha CM and the begetter of Naveen Patnaik,” helium asked.
BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik, uncharacteristically, utilized harsh words to criticise the remark, saying, “I deliberation the MP needs immoderate intelligence doctor’s attention.”
Expressing surprise, helium said, “I americium shocked to perceive the outrageous things said astir Biju Babu by a BJP MP. I don’t deliberation helium knows that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had fixed him an bureau adjacent to his successful Delhi, adjacent portion helium was Chief Minister of Odisha, to assistance with strategy during the Chinese conflict. I was astir 13 then, but I retrieve however furious Biju Babu was with the Chinese onslaught and however overmuch helium did to repel it.”
BJD MPs from Sasmit Patra to recently elected Santrupta Mishra on with State leaders, went nationalist 1 aft another, denouncing the statement. Various wings of the enactment staged demonstrations crossed the State.
The BJP’s response, however, appeared somewhat curious. “The discussions and remarks surfacing astir the precocious erstwhile Chief Minister of Odisha, Biju Patnaik, are highly regrettable. I powerfully condemn, successful the harshest terms, the unseemly remarks made against him,” said BJP MLA Babu Singh.
“No substance who the idiosyncratic whitethorn be, specified comments against a people’s person similar Biju Babu are utterly unacceptable. Those making specified remarks should refrain from specified indecorous behaviour and publically connection an unconditional apology,” helium added.
Senior leaders similar BJD vice-president Baijayant Panda said, “Biju uncle was a towering personality, not conscionable Odisha’s tallest person of his era, but among the starring lights of the nation. Casting aspersions connected his patriotism is fantastical and patently ludicrous. Such attacks are unworthy, uninformed, and wholly unacceptable.”
In a elaborate station connected societal media level X, Dilip Ray, who precocious won Rajya Sabha election, highlighted Biju Patnaik’s bequest but refrained from demanding a withdrawal of the connection oregon an apology. BJD leaders termed BJP leaders’ connection arsenic ritual. Congress person Srikant Jena excessively criticised the statement.
Following the 2024 electoral setback, the BJD had been connected a downward descent amid bypoll losses, Rajya Sabha reverses, and desertions by enactment leaders. However, the remark connected Biju Patnaik has brought the enactment ranks together. Though the arguable comments by Nishikant Dubey were made extracurricular Odisha, it is the State BJP that present finds itself nether sustained attack.
