The name of former chief minister Biju Patnaik, after whom Odisha’s ruling Biju Janata Dal has been named, still spells magic in the state. Given his emotional connect with the masses, the legendary socialist leader continues to sway the voters in favour of the regional party led by his son Naveen. Having realised the vote catching value of Biju legacy, the BJD continues to work hard to project itself as its sole representative.
The larger than life image of Biju Babu received a further boost on Sunday with his 25th death anniversary being celebrated across the state. People from different walks of life came out and joined the various programmes organised not only by the government and the BJD but also various voluntary organisations to mark the occasion.
Taking to twitter, Naveen wrote: “A humble tribute to Biju Patnaik, the great son of Odisha and the statesman, on his death anniversary. The path he has shown now made Odisha a leader in various areas of development. His ideals and values will continue to inspire us to serve the people of the state.”
On its part, the BJD has not only benefited from Biju legacy but also worked hard to take it forward. Founded in 1997, the regional party has emerged as the voice of the people of the state. It has been winning elections with consummate ease and recently decimated both the BJP and the Congress in the rural and urban polls held in the state.
Explaining the importance of Biju legacy his close follower and former minister Damodar Rout told The Telegraph, “During the 1960s, the spirit of federalism was much stronger compared to these days. Taking benefit of it, Biju Babu won the confidence of the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and was able to take up many projects for the infrastructure development of the state including setting up of Paradip port, the Paradip Daitari Biju Expressways, (connecting port to the mining area), engineering colleges and medical colleges. All these works made him popular and he is still popular. Biju was an industrialist but spent all his resources and sold all the properties for development and welfare of the people.”
Former minister and another close associate of Biju Babu, Bijay Mahapatra said: “It was Biju Babu who had fuelled the growth of regionalism within the framework of federalism. He belonged to a different breed of politicians. For him, the state always came first.”
Former minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadei, a member of Biju’s ministry in the 1990s said: “Biju Babu’s biggest concern was that though Odisha is full with natural resources but its people are poor. Biju Babu had invited Swraj Paul to set up a steel plant here. That could not materialise. He began the process of land acquisition at Kalinga Nagar in Jajpur district to set up steel industries. Now after 30 years, major steel plants of the country, Tata Steel, VISA, Jindal and other industries have set up their units in the area."
Panchanan Kanungo, a founding member of the BJD, said: “Biju Babu was a dreamer and he had the ability to influence people. His name is still fetching votes for the BJD but the party has sidelined most of the Biju loyalists. His name is being used to sway public opinion.”
“Perhaps no other leader captured the imagination of the people of Orissa like Biju Patnaik; freedom fighter, pilot, industrialist, politician and philanthropist,” writes Dr Pabak Kanungo.
Tales and anecdotes about Biju Babu are legion. Dr Kanungo writes: “There is a story that Pt. Nehru once asked Dr B.C. Roy — ‘Have you met a man called Biju Patnaik’. “I have heard about him; but not yet met him”, was the reply of the Bengal Chief Minister. Nehru said, “meet him sometime. I like such forward-looking, brave people. The only difficulty is that sometimes you don’t know where he will land you.”