Odisha CM Invites BJD Chief For Biju Patnaik Birth Anniv Event Amid Protests Over Panchayati Raj Diwas Date Change

Bhubaneswar: Amid the ongoing controversy over the change of date of Panchayati Raj day celebration, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Tuesday wrote to Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, inviting him to join as a “distinguished guest” at the state-level event at Jayadev Bhawan to celebrate legendary leader Biju Patnaik’s birth anniversary on March 5. 

“The state government will be celebrating the birth anniversary of Biju Patnaik, a great son of Odisha, on March 5. A state-level event is being organised at Jayadev Bhawan from 7 pm to celebrate the legendary leader. I would request you grace the occasion as a distinguished guest,” the CM wrote. 

The government also scrapped the state holiday and announced that all schools across Odisha will remain open on Wednesday (March 5). 

Odisha has been celebrating Panchayati Raj Diwas on March 5, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Biju Patnaik, who is regarded as a pioneer in implementing the Panchayati Raj system in the country.

The CMO, in a release on Monday, informed about the decision to shift Panchayati Raj Diwas celebration from March 5 to April 24, aiming to remove the anomaly in celebration of the day at national and state levels. “Every year since 2020, Odisha is observing Panchayati Raj Day on March 5, while April 24 is celebrated as National Panchayati Raj Day across India. On this occasion, awards such as the Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Award and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act Award are presented to Panchayat representatives from various States,” it said.

The birth anniversary of great visionary and stalwart Biju Patnaik will be celebrated at all levels with pomp and ceremony on March 5 but it will not be a public holiday, it added.

The Opposition has slammed the state government for the decision, terming it as “politically motivated” and aimed at erasing Biju Patnaik’s legacy.

Also Read: Odisha Panchayati Raj Diwas Date Change: Oppn Slams BJP Govt For ‘Disrespecting’ Biju Patnaik

Meanwhile, BJD leaders staged a protest at Biju Patnaik’s statue near Bhubaneswar airport, urging the state government to revoke the decision. They described the move as a great insult to Biju Babu and people of Odisha. They have also threatened to launch agitations if the decision is not withdrawn.

“The decision is undemocratic, and it could create social discord,” said senior BJD leader and MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain, adding that Odisha had been observing Panchayati Raj Diwas much before the Centre started to celebrate it.