Bhubaneswar:Expressing serious displeasure over recent incidents of attempts made to tarnish the image of legendary leader Biju Patnaik, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik today said no one can change the history.
Shri Patnaik said this while addressing party workers observing the 28th death anniversary of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, after whom the regional party, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), is named.
He was referring to recent attacks on the statues of Biju Patnaik in different places of the state and the state BJP government delinking the former chief minister’s (Biju) birthday from the Panchayati Raj Dibas.
Strengthening the three-tier Panchayati Raj system and empowering women were among Biju Babu’s greatest contributions to Indian politics, the BJD supremo said here today.
Stating that “No one can forget Biju Babu’s contribution,” Patnaik said that Biju Babu was always proud to be an Odia, and his goal was to make Odisha the best State in the country.
“The previous BJD Government had taken many steps to realize Biju Babu’s dream. During this period, a lot of good work has been done, for which Odisha has received many national and international recognitions,” he stated.
However, Shri Patnaik expressed anger over attempts by some individuals to minimize the sacrifices and contributions of the legendary leader and to distort history.
“Now some people are making deliberate attempts to demean the contribution and sacrifice of our great sons. Attempts are also being made to change history. But they should remember that history reflects the connecting experience of a nation over a period of time. It cannot be changed at anybody’s pleasure,” he said.
Shri Patnaik remarked that it would be more beneficial for the State to focus on adding new chapters to its history of development rather than wasting time
Reacting to Shri Patnaik’s statement, State BJP president Manmohan Samal said, “We have great respect for Biju Patnaik. He was a great son of the soil. We paid our tributes to him on his death anniversary today. Patnaik’s remark is politically motivated and not expected from a five-time former chief minister.”
Shri Samal also asked whether this was Shri Patnaik’s own statement or if somebody else made him speak these words. “If it is his own statement, then Shri Patnaik should rethink about it,” he said.