Biju Patnaik legacy Archives - Odisha Connect

Banki Stands by Devi Ranjan: Massive Show of Strength After Rajya Sabha Cross-Voting

OdishaConnect — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 10:59:10 +0000

Banki MLA Debi Ranjan Tripathy received a rousing استقبال from thousands of supporters days after his controversial cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha elections. The welcome turned into a massive public spectacle, with a bike rally stretching from Jatamundia Chowk to Banki market.

Supporters lined the streets waving banners and chanting slogans in praise of Biju Patnaik, with “Biju Patnaik Amar Rahe” echoing across the town. Women greeted the MLA with flower garlands, while notably, no official party flags were displayed—highlighting a shift toward personal and ideological loyalty over party identity.

Cross-Voting Sparks Political Storm
Tripathy’s decision to defy the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leadership and support independent candidate Dilip Ray played a crucial role in altering the outcome of the elections. The move contributed to a major upset, where the BJD-Congress alliance lost a key Rajya Sabha seat despite having numerical strength.

The cross-voting incident has triggered a political crisis within the party, with the leadership issuing show-cause notices to several rebel MLAs, including Tripathy.

‘Guided by Biju Patnaik’s Ideals’
Defending his decision, Tripathy stated that his vote was guided by the ideological legacy of Biju Patnaik. He argued that supporting Dilip Ray was consistent with Biju Patnaik’s long-standing anti-Congress stance.

He also criticized the party’s alignment, calling the BJD-Congress understanding an “unholy alliance” that deviates from the founding principles of the party.

Public Endorsement Strengthens Position
The overwhelming استقبال in Banki reflects strong grassroots backing for the MLA. Many supporters described his move as principled and courageous.

“According to Biju Baba’s ideals, we voted,” said one supporter, reinforcing the sentiment that Tripathy’s actions resonate with the original vision of the party’s founder.

Focus on Development Amid Controversy
Addressing the gathering, Tripathy expressed gratitude for the public support and reaffirmed his commitment to development.

“The love and respect of the people inspire me to work harder for Banki’s progress,” he said, adding that he will continue to prioritize the welfare of his constituents.

Uncertain Road Ahead for BJD Rebels
As tensions continue within the BJD, the fate of the rebel MLAs remains uncertain. With disciplinary proceedings underway and political equations shifting rapidly, the coming days are likely to be crucial in determining whether the crisis escalates or finds a resolution.

The grand استقبال in Banki, however, sends a clear message—despite internal party turmoil, Debi Ranjan Tripathy continues to command significant public support in his constituency.

The post Banki Stands by Devi Ranjan: Massive Show of Strength After Rajya Sabha Cross-Voting appeared first on Odisha Connect.

Odisha Assembly Heat: BJP Slams ‘Biju-Naveen’ Foundation Over Loot Allegations; Naveen Patnaik Defends Trust as a Legacy of Charity

OdishaConnect — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:05:04 +0000

The Odisha Legislative Assembly witnessed uproarious scenes during Zero Hour as legislators of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a sharp attack on the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) over the controversial “Biju-Naveen Inspirational Foundation.”

Amid mounting allegations, BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik later issued a detailed clarification, rejecting the charges as “baseless and negative.”

BJP Alleges Multi-Crore Irregularities

Raising the issue in the House, BJP MLA Santosh Khatua questioned why a trust meant for Odisha’s welfare was registered in Delhi instead of within the state.

He alleged that the foundation came into focus after Santrupt Misra moved to the Rajya Sabha and was found to be serving as its Secretary.

“This trust has been formed to loot the wealth of Odisha,” Khatua claimed, further alleging that a “non-Odiya monk” was the key authority behind it and that even BJD legislators were unaware of its functioning.

Echoing the attack, BJP MLA Babu Singh criticized the BJD’s internal functioning and drew parallels between political alliances, questioning the party’s stand on cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha elections.

Naveen Patnaik Responds: “A Gift Rooted in Legacy”

Breaking his silence, Naveen Patnaik defended the foundation, linking it to the legacy of his father, Biju Patnaik.

“My brothers and sisters donated Ananda Bhawan to the people of Odisha. Charity was Biju Babu’s hallmark,” he said.

Patnaik revealed that the idea of the trust took shape during a personal health crisis when he was undergoing treatment in Mumbai and Delhi.

“Before my surgery, I decided to establish a trust in Biju Babu’s name for the benefit of the people of Odisha,” he explained.

Key Clarifications by Patnaik

Initial Funding: The trust began with ₹1 lakh from his personal savings.
No Political Funding: Patnaik asserted that no funds from the BJD or any political source were used.
Purpose: The foundation aims to promote Biju Patnaik’s ideals in sectors like education and healthcare.

He also expressed concern over what he described as “negative narratives” in sections of the media regarding the trust.

SCB Incident Adds to Political Heat

Apart from the foundation controversy, the Assembly also witnessed heated exchanges over a recent incident at SCB Medical College and Hospital.

While Babu Singh defended the government, calling the incident accidental and highlighting swift response by authorities, opposition members attempted to corner the ruling dispensation over alleged administrative lapses.

Singh also took a swipe at former bureaucrat V. K. Pandian, suggesting that past political influences in the state had diminished.

Political Tensions Escalate

The twin issues of the foundation controversy and the SCB incident have intensified the political confrontation between the BJP and BJD. With both sides trading allegations, the developments signal a deepening battle ahead of upcoming political contests in Odisha.

The post Odisha Assembly Heat: BJP Slams ‘Biju-Naveen’ Foundation Over Loot Allegations; Naveen Patnaik Defends Trust as a Legacy of Charity appeared first on Odisha Connect.

Naveen Patnaik Clarifies Formation of ‘Biju-Naveen’ Trust; Reminds Critics of Biju Babu’s Legacy of Charity

OdishaConnect — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:59:19 +0000

Amid intensifying political heat and an ongoing case in the Odisha High Court, Naveen Patnaik, president of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has publicly defended the formation of the “Biju Naveen Inspirational Foundation” Trust, invoking the legacy of his father, Biju Patnaik.

“Charity Was in Biju Babu’s DNA”

Responding to allegations of opacity, Naveen Patnaik highlighted his father’s global reputation for philanthropy. He pointed to Biju Patnaik’s contribution to science through the institution of the Kalinga Prize, which he personally funded to promote scientific temper worldwide.

“Biju Babu was known for his charitable work. This foundation is a continuation of that legacy of service and inspiration,” Patnaik said, positioning the trust as a social initiative rooted in public welfare.

Controversy Deepens, PIL Filed in High Court

The trust has sparked a major political controversy, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleging that it was used for questionable fund collection and to manage BJD-linked properties in Delhi.

The issue has now reached the Odisha High Court through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by senior advocate Shivsankar Mohanty. The petition seeks a thorough investigation into the foundation’s formation, funding sources, and operational transparency.

Rajya Sabha Row Fuels Political Fire

The controversy escalated further during the recent Rajya Sabha elections when BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal accused BJD candidate Santrupt Misra of not disclosing his role as Secretary of the foundation in his election affidavit.

The BJP has raised questions over whether such non-disclosure could attract disqualification, intensifying the political confrontation between the two parties.

BJD Calls Allegations “Politically Motivated”

The BJD has strongly rejected the allegations, terming them “baseless” and politically driven. Party insiders maintain that the foundation aims to institutionalize the ideals and contributions of both Biju Patnaik and Naveen Patnaik for future generations.

All Eyes on Court Proceedings

With the Odisha High Court set to hear the matter, the “Biju-Naveen Inspirational Foundation” has emerged as a key flashpoint in Odisha politics. The case now places the legacy of the Patnaik family under judicial scrutiny, even as political tensions continue to rise in the state.

The post Naveen Patnaik Clarifies Formation of ‘Biju-Naveen’ Trust; Reminds Critics of Biju Babu’s Legacy of Charity appeared first on Odisha Connect.