For a suave politician like Naveen Patnaik, the comment, “I feel the MP [Nishikant Dubey] wants some psychological physician’s consideration”, and Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra stepping down from a parliamentary standing committee might seem disproportionate responses to what was described as a ‘distasteful’ touch upon the legendary Biju Patnaik by a BJP MP identified for making controversial remarks.
Nonetheless, for leaders of the Biju Janata Dal, such a response was each inevitable and non-negotiable, on condition that the social gathering’s very basis rests on the legacy of Biju Patnaik’s achievements. Though BJP leaders like Baijayant Panda and Dilip Ray issued statements eulogising legendary chief and his contribution to nation, they stopped in need of outright condemnation or calling for motion towards him.
Since then, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has taken to the streets, regaining some political floor amid the controversy following its Rajya Sabha setback. The social gathering’s leaders have sought to reconnect with the general public after Biju Patnaik, revered throughout social gathering traces for his position in shaping fashionable Odisha, was portrayed in a poor mild. In addition they focused BJP leaders for his or her silence on the difficulty.
Veteran BJD chief Ranendra Pratap Swain moved a movement titled “Defamatory and false assertion pronounced towards Biju Babu and thereby hurting the pleasure of Odiyas” within the Odisha Legislative Meeting for dialogue.
The Meeting on Tuesday (March 31, 2026) witnessed uproarious scene with BJD MLAs shouting over the remarks. They insisted {that a} decision condemning the remarks be handed by the Home.
“This has definitely given fodder to the BJD to remain in circulation, extra importantly by invoking a way of victimhood. For many years, the legendary Biju Patnaik remained above political controversy for the folks of Odisha. Terming him a CIA conduit isn’t solely distasteful but additionally damaging for the BJP, which now seems to be struggling to defend its personal MP,” stated senior journalist and political commentator Rabi Das.
“Not one of the BJP’s towering leaders comparable to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani, or Prime Minister Narendra Modi ever made remarks that forged Biju Patnaik in a poor mild. He symbolised Odia asmita [pride]. I fail to know what the BJP stands to achieve by criticising the stature of a former Odisha CM and the daddy of Naveen Patnaik,” he requested.
BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik, uncharacteristically, used harsh phrases to criticise the comment, saying, “I feel the MP wants some psychological physician’s consideration.”
Expressing shock, he stated, “I’m shocked to listen to the outrageous issues stated about Biju Babu by a BJP MP. I don’t suppose he is aware of that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had given him an workplace subsequent to his in Delhi, even whereas he was Chief Minister of Odisha, to help with technique through the Chinese language battle. I used to be about 13 then, however I keep in mind how livid Biju Babu was with the Chinese language assault and the way a lot he did to repel it.”
BJD MPs from Sasmit Patra to newly elected Santrupta Mishra together with State leaders, went public one after one other, denouncing the assertion. Numerous wings of the social gathering staged demonstrations throughout the State.
The BJP’s response, nevertheless, appeared considerably curious. “The discussions and remarks surfacing concerning the late former Chief Minister of Odisha, Biju Patnaik, are extraordinarily regrettable. I strongly condemn, within the harshest phrases, the unseemly remarks made towards him,” stated BJP MLA Babu Singh.
“Irrespective of who the person could also be, such feedback towards a folks’s chief like Biju Babu are completely unacceptable. These making such remarks ought to chorus from such indecorous behaviour and publicly provide an unconditional apology,” he added.
Senior leaders like BJD vice-president Baijayant Panda stated, “Biju uncle was a towering character, not simply Odisha’s tallest chief of his period, however among the many main lights of the nation. Casting aspersions on his patriotism is fantastical and patently ludicrous. Such assaults are unworthy, uninformed, and completely unacceptable.”
In an in depth submit on social media platform X, Dilip Ray, who lately received Rajya Sabha election, highlighted Biju Patnaik’s legacy however kept away from demanding a withdrawal of the assertion or an apology. BJD leaders termed BJP leaders’ assertion as ritual. Congress chief Srikant Jena too criticised the assertion.
Following the 2024 electoral setback, the BJD had been on a downward slide amid bypoll losses, Rajya Sabha reverses, and desertions by social gathering leaders. Nonetheless, the comment on Biju Patnaik has introduced the social gathering ranks collectively. Although the controversial feedback by Nishikant Dubey have been made outdoors Odisha, it’s the State BJP that now finds itself underneath sustained assault.
Revealed – March 31, 2026 12:56 pm IST
