Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Tuesday distanced itself from Nishikant Dubey’s controversial remarks on Biju Patnaik, claiming that the former chief minister served as a “link” between the US government, the CIA, and former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Speaking to the media, Law Minister Prathiviraj Harichandan said that the MP made those remarks in his personal capacity and they were not reflective of the government’s stance. “We are aware of the remarks made by MP Nishikant Dubey against Odisha’s legendary leader Biju Babu. I would like to clarify on behalf of the government that such remarks are highly inappropriate and unacceptable. They have caused deep anguish not only to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi but to all of us,” he said.
Harichandan urged public representatives to exercise restraint, emphasising that such remarks deeply hurt the sentiments associated with Biju Patnaik. “We appeal to everyone to refrain from making such statements and counter statements. Politicising this matter would dishonour the legacy of Biju Bab,” he added.
Also Read: The Real Story Of Biju Patnaik, Charbatia Air Base & Nehru’s Firm No To Full CIA Control
Earlier in the day, the Odisha Legislative Assembly was abruptly adjourned for around 40 minutes following a fierce protest by opposition parties over the alleged insult to Biju Patnaik, the revered former Chief Minister and iconic “son of the soil”. The uproar erupted immediately after the House convened for Question Hour at 10:30 am. Members from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Congress, and CPI(M) stormed into the well of the House, raising loud slogans against the BJP-led state government for remaining silent on controversial remarks made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey targeting Biju Patnaik, who served as Chief Minister of Odisha twice. Amid the intense sloganeering and agitation by opposition legislators, Speaker Surama Padhy ordered the adjournment of proceedings until 11:30 am to restore order.
On Monday, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, who is the son of the former CM, said that Dubey needs the attention of a “mental doctor” for making “outrageous” remarks against a freedom fighter. BJD leader Ranendra Pratap Swain also moved a motion titled “Defamatory and false statement pronounced against Biju Babu and thereby hurting the pride of Odias” in the Assembly for discussion.
Earlier, BJD MP Sasmit Patra resigned from a parliamentary committee headed by Dubey calling the comments “false and concocted”. Four other party MPs — Manas Mangaraj, Subhasish Khuntia, Muzibulla Khan, Santrupta Misha, Niranjan Bishi — along with new-elected Santrupt Misra also criticised the BJP MP and accused him of “insulting the pride of Odisha”.
BJP MP Baijayant Panda and newly-elected Rajya Sabha member Dilip Ray, who share the Biju Patnaik legacy, broke ranks to denounce Dubey’s claims. Congress leader Srikant Jena too criticised the statement.
