BHUBANESWAR: Former associates of Biju Patnaik including Rajya Sabha member Dilip Ray, former minister Bijoy Mohapatra and ex-BJD MP Prasanna Patasani were among senior politicians who attended a parallel event to pay homage to the former Odisha chief minister on his death anniversary, triggering fresh political speculation. The gathering drew a cryptic message from BJD president Naveen Patnaik, who remarked that some people are always content playing a “betrayal role”, prompting a sharp rebuttal from Bijoy, who said Naveen appeared to be panicking. Speaking via video link at a BJD programme to mark Biju’s death anniversary, Naveen said, “Biju Babu was as vast as the sky, as tolerant as the soil and as towering as the Himalayas. But in Odisha’s politics, some people are always happy to play the role of betrayal.” He went on to add, “No mask can hide sins for long. People know who is what?,” without naming anyone. Several politicians including many sidelined and expelled BJD leaders attended the Biju homage event at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology organised under the banner of Odisha Nagarik Mancha. Reacting to Naveen’s remarks, Bijoy – who was minister in Biju’s govt between 1990 and 1995 – said the statement reflected panic. Bijoy said Odisha Nagarik Mancha is an experiment aimed at becoming the voice of the people and would work to carry forward Biju’s legacy. Hotelier-politician Dilip said it felt good to be part of such an event after many years. “It was emotional. People who were truly associated with Biju Babu came together. Biju’s legacy lies in his work and ideals, not in buildings,” he said.
