BJD Slams Odisha Govt Over Sports Awards Row, Says CM Has No Control Over Admn

Bhubaneswar: Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Sunday lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Odisha over the controversy relating to renaming ‘Biju Patnaik Sports Awards’.

Addressing a press meet in Bhubaneswar, BJD spokesperson Lekhashri Samantasinghar said Biju Patnaik is respected by leaders cutting across party lines and any attempt to undermine his importance must be condemned.

Coming down heavily on the state government over moves to rename the awards, she said it appears that the saffron party is trying to change the history of the state.

Describing Biju Patnaik as a symbol of ‘Odia Asmita’ and pride, the BJD leader said the BJP government should work for the welfare of people and development of the state instead of indulging in such acts.

Hitting out at the BJP government, she said it is clear that the Chief Minister is unaware of what is happening in the administration. It is clear that the CM has no grip over the functioning of the government as the notification issued by the Sports department was not in his knowledge, she said.

The BJD leader’s remarks came after Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday clarified that no decision has been taken by his government on renaming ‘Biju Patnaik Sports Awards’.

“Biju Patnaik Sports Award will continue like in the past. No official decision has been taken regarding the name change,” he told reporters.

Interestingly, Majhi said he had no prior information about the ‘name change’ and got to know about it from the media. “My government gives much importance to legendary personalities of the soil. Biju Babu will forever be remembered for his decades-long contribution to Odisha as well as the nation in both political and social spheres,” he said.

The CM’s statement has put a question mark on the functioning and alleged lack of coherence in the maiden BJP government in the state with the CM himself being kept in dark over decisions being taken by a department.

The Sports and Youth Services Department in a notification issued on July 19 (Friday) replaced the existing Biju Patnaik Awards for Sports, Bravery, and State Awards with Odisha Rajya Krida Samman to be awarded in eight categories annually. The decision triggered a political slugfest with the BJD accusing BJP of resorting to narrow and revengeful politics.

The previous BJD government had instituted the award in 2001-2002 in the honour of Biju Patnaik to felicitate eminent sports personalities of the state and excellence in sports journalism. It is the highest honour in the field of sports in the state.