BJD will commemorate Biju Patnaik's death anniversary as 'Parbad Purusha Divas'.

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) announced that they will commemorate the death anniversary of former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik on April 17 as 'Parbad Purusha Divas'. This day is fondly remembered as 'Prabada Purusha' in honor of the legendary leader who passed away on April 17, 1997. The BJD senior vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra shared in a press conference that the party leaders will observe this day in a grand manner across the state, from block to district and assembly segment levels.

He also mentioned that various activities such as floral tributes, blood donation camps, intellectual discussions, and other social works will be carried out on this day, as part of the Biju legacy. Mishra further stated that instructions have been given to conduct intellectual discussions on the topic of Biju Babu's role in the freedom struggle and the making of modern Odisha. The leaders of the party's frontal organizations will be assisting in organizing these events.

However, a group of senior leaders, including Bijoy Mohapatra, Pravat Tripathy, and Amar Satpaty, who were once founder members of the BJD but later expelled by Naveen Patnaik, announced that they will organize a massive memorial meeting to pay tribute to Biju Patnaik. These leaders strongly identify with the 'Biju legacy' and believe that the current BJD, led by Naveen Patnaik, lacks the ideology of the legendary leader. Former BJD MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik added that leaders who uphold Biju Patnaik's ideals and have respect towards him will join a new platform called 'Odisha Nagarik Manch' to pay tribute to the great leader.

This initiative aims to bring together individuals who genuinely love Odisha and are committed to protecting the state's interests and self-respect, just like Biju Patnaik. When asked if Biju's legacy belongs only to his son, Patnaik replied that the legendary leader is a hero of Odisha and belongs to all who love Odia pride. However, BJD MLA and former minister Arun Kumar Sahoo criticized the group of leaders who claim to be torchbearers of the Biju legacy.

He stated that the people of Odisha have already acknowledged who truly carries the Biju legacy. While the people of the state do respect Biju Patnaik, using his legacy for political gain is not acceptable. Sahoo alleged that their only intention is to break the BJD as a B-Team of BJP in Odisha.

In conclusion, the BJD is all set to observe the death anniversary of Biju Patnaik as 'Parbad Purusha Divas' with various activities and discussions that reflect the great leader's legacy. Meanwhile, a group of senior leaders, who believe in Biju's ideology, will also pay tribute to him separately. However, some leaders within the party have alleged their intentions to be a part of the BJP agenda.

The people of Odisha continue to honor Biju Patnaik and his legacy, which belongs to all those who truly love and respect the state.