Bhubaneswar: Taking a swipe at his own party, senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) legislator Soumya Ranjan Patnaik indicated that all is not well in the regional outfit despite being in power for the last over 22 years.
Known for his veiled remarks about the party, the Khandapada MLA sought to know whether BJD, named after Biju Patnaik, has been able to deliver good governance to the people and acquire the unique qualities of the legendary leader.
Speaking at programme organised on the occasion of Biju Patnaik’s birth anniversary at Paradip in Jagatsinghpur district on Sunday, Patnaik raised questions over the way his party BJD is functioning now in the state.
Noting that Biju Patnaik could not remain in power for more than seven years, he said the party named after the tall leader and managed by his son has been in power for the last 20 to 22 years.
Biju Babu’s name has been making the party enjoy power since its formation and will also continue to do so, Pataik said, and sought to know whether the ruling party deserves to enjoy it.
“Are you worthy of enjoying the honey of political power? All of you who are present here should ask this question to self and find out the answer,” the lawmaker said.
Those who are celebrating Biju Babu’s birth anniversary must ask this question to themselves,” the scribe-turned-politician said.
“We are all proud of Biju Babu’s legacy. But, for how long we will blow the tall leader’s trumpet? The practice is not going to work in the long run. If we can become like him, then it will be worthy for us to celebrate his birthday,” the legislator said.
Partymen must feel proud to celebrate Biju Babu’s birth anniversary, but if they do not try to match one per cent of the tall leader, then there is no point in using his name, he said.
Patnaik also wanted to know how long the party will be able to feel proud of ‘grandfather’s moustache’ (Biju Babu’s good deeds).
“We will continue feeling proud of Biju Babu’s moustache, valour, courage, audacity, dreams, compassionate heart and persona of good leader and human being. We will do so as he is our own man. But this practice (enjoying power in his name) will not work anymore if we fail to become like him,” Patnaik said.
Reacting sharply to Patnaik’s remarks, Paradip BJD president Basanta Biswal lashed out at the senior party legislator. BJD has all along been following the ideals Biju Patnaik and working sincerely to make his dreams a reality, he said.
Asking Patnaik as to why he has joined BJD if he does not like it, Biswal said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is liked by 4.5 crore people of Odisha as he has been working for the development of the state as per the vision of Biju Babu.
