The controversy over the BJP-led Odisha government’s decision to delink Biju Patnaik’s birth anniversary from Panchayati Raj Day and cancel the public holiday has sparked a major political storm in the state. For decades, March 5 had been a symbolic day in Odisha, marking both the birth anniversary of the legendary leader and the observance of Panchayati Raj Day, which highlighted the role of local self-governance. The BJP government’s move to shift Panchayati Raj Day to April 24 in line with the national observance and designate March 5 solely as Biju Patnaik’s birth anniversary has been met with fierce opposition from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress.
This decision has been perceived as an attempt by the BJP to erase the legacy of Biju Patnaik, who remains one of the most respected political figures in Odisha. The BJD, founded in his name in 1997, has built its political identity around his contributions to the state, particularly in infrastructure, industrialization, and the empowerment of local governance. BJD supremo and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has not minced words in condemning the BJP’s decision, calling it an act of "immature politics with small minds." His statement reflects the deep emotional and political connect that Biju Patnaik still holds among the people of Odisha.
For the BJD, this move is seen as a direct attack on its legacy. The party has ruled Odisha for 24 years under Naveen Patnaik’s leadership, and Biju Patnaik’s name has been synonymous with the development narrative of the state. The BJP’s decision to rename nearly 40 government schemes that were originally named after Biju Patnaik is being viewed as an aggressive attempt to erase the influence of the BJD from the state’s administrative landscape. From infrastructure projects to welfare schemes, many government initiatives carried the name of Biju Patnaik as a tribute to his vision for Odisha. The BJP’s move to rebrand these schemes, combined with the delinking of his birth anniversary from Panchayati Raj Day, is being interpreted as an attempt to shift the political narrative in its favor.
The Congress, too, has joined the protest, with Odisha Congress president Bhakta Das condemning the BJP government for what he called an "insult to Odisha’s history." He pointed out that the BJP had already disregarded the contributions of Odisha’s first political icon, Madhusudan Das, and was now targeting Biju Patnaik’s legacy. He argued that the public holiday on March 5 was not just a political observance but a reminder of the contributions of a leader who played a crucial role in shaping modern Odisha.
The controversy took an even more dramatic turn when a statue of Biju Patnaik was vandalized in Cuttack, triggering outrage among his supporters. The BJD staged protests, demanding strict action against those responsible. In response, the Odisha government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and promptly installed a new statue, signaling its intent to manage the escalating tensions. However, this incident has further deepened the political fault lines between the BJP and BJD, with accusations flying from both sides.
Beyond the immediate political skirmish, the BJP’s strategy in Odisha appears to be part of a broader effort to establish its dominance in a state where it was, until recently, the opposition. Since its victory in 2024, the party has made sweeping changes to state governance, renaming welfare schemes and altering the visual identity of Odisha’s administrative and public spaces. The shift from the BJD’s signature green color to saffron is evident across various government properties, public transportation, and even school uniforms. The BJP’s attempt to redefine Odisha’s political and cultural identity is unmistakable.
For the BJD, this is a critical moment to defend its legacy. Having been in power for over two decades, it now faces the challenge of repositioning itself in opposition while keeping its voter base intact. The BJP, on the other hand, is working aggressively to consolidate its newfound political control and reshape Odisha’s governance in its own image. The renaming of schemes, rebranding of public services, and even changes in the color scheme of state infrastructure reflect the larger ideological battle unfolding in Odisha.
Despite these political maneuvers, the legacy of Biju Patnaik remains deeply ingrained in the hearts of the people of Odisha. While the BJP may attempt to diminish his association with governance, his contributions to the state’s development and his larger-than-life persona continue to resonate with the people. Naveen Patnaik’s assertion that “you can change the names, remove statues, and alter dates, but you cannot erase the love and respect people have for Biju Babu” underscores the emotional and political weight that his father’s name still carries.
As this political battle intensifies, the key question remains: Will the BJP’s strategy to rebrand Odisha’s governance help it solidify its rule, or will it backfire by alienating voters who continue to hold Biju Patnaik in high regard? The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the BJP's attempt to reshape Odisha's political identity will be accepted by the people or if the BJD will be able to leverage this controversy to regain lost ground.
