BJD sees red after Biju Patnaik’s statue is set on fire in Odisha town
The BJD, which considers him its ideologue, questioned the BJP government’s ‘silence’ on recurrent incidents targeting his legacy
The incident took place two days before Biju Patnaik’s death anniversary on April 17. (Express photo) A row erupted in Odisha on Tuesday after the statue of former chief minister Biju Patnaik was set on fire by miscreants in the Balangir district, prompting the Biju Janata Dal to allege that there was a conspiracy afoot to erase his legacy.
The statue had been wrapped in polythene at Parsuram Square in Patnagrah town following a dispute over its placement. The fire was extinguished once police arrived at the spot.
The incident took place two days before Biju Patnaik’s death anniversary on April 17.
The BJD, which considers him its ideologue, questioned the BJP government’s “silence” on recurrent incidents targeting his legacy. “The heinous and despicable act has shocked 4.5 crore people of Odisha. Biju Patnaik is the tallest leader of the state. Recently, miscreants beheaded Biju Babu’s statue in Mahanga, and now his statue was set on fire in Patnagarh. The silence of the state government raises many questions. People will give a befitting reply,” said senior BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra.
Seeking action, the BJD staged a dharna at his statue near the airport in Bhubaneswar.
Officials said the Balangir police have arrested one person in connection with the arson and are probing whether or not he is mentally stable.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi condemned the incident and directed police to take stern action. He also directed the police to expose if there was any conspiracy behind the incident and said the state government respects all eminent personalities.
The BJD and the BJP had locked horns last month after the state government delinked Panchayati Raj Divas from Biju Patnaik’s birth anniversary (March 5).
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