March 4th 2025.
In a recent development, the BJP government in Bhubaneswar has made the decision to delink the name of Odisha stalwart Biju Patnaik from the Panchayati Raj Divas. This move has been met with strong opposition from the BJD and Congress parties, who see it as a great insult to the late leader. They have urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to reconsider this decision.
The Odisha government had previously announced that March 5th will be observed as the birth anniversary of former chief minister Biju Patnaik, but there will be no celebration of Panchayati Raj Divas on that day. This decision has sparked a demonstration by BJD leaders near the Biju Patnaik statue at Airport Chhak. They have declared that they will spread this issue to every corner of the state if the BJP does not revoke its decision.
According to a statement issued by the CMO, March 5th will not be observed as a holiday this year, even though it is listed as one in the government's holiday schedule. Schools and government offices will remain open on this day. The CMO has also clarified that Panchayati Raj Divas, which is usually celebrated on March 5th in Odisha, will now be observed on April 24th in accordance with the national observance.
Senior BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra expressed his disappointment over the BJP government's decision, stating that all previous governments, including the Congress, have celebrated March 5th as PR Divas since the 90s. He believes that the decision to change this tradition is a great sorrow. Meanwhile, Opposition Chief Whip Pramila Mallik highlighted Biju Patnaik's contribution to the three-tier panchayat system in Odisha and accused the BJP of trying to erase his relevance for the state.
Congress party president Bhakta Das also condemned the government's decision, stating that they should have continued with the earlier practice. He believes that the public holiday on March 5th was a reminder for people to celebrate the birth anniversary of Biju Patnaik and that this decision is an attempt to bury his legacy.
On the other hand, Odisha BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal welcomed the decision to observe Panchayati Raj Divas on April 24th, as it holds historic significance in Indian democracy. He also refuted the opposition's claims of insult to Biju Patnaik, stating that many other former CMs of Odisha have their birth anniversaries celebrated at the government level.
This recent decision by the BJP government is not the first time they have changed the names of schemes launched by the previous BJD government. However, they maintain that the decision to change the name of Panchayati Raj Divas was not meant to insult Biju Patnaik. The BJD has been asked to explain their actions in the past where they have changed the names of schemes named after other leaders.
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