Odisha’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government said it will celebrate March 5 as the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik and will not celebrate ‘Panchayati Raj Day’ as has been celebrated for decades. The state government has also canceled the holiday on this day.
Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and former minister Debi Prasad Mishra said, “It is unfortunate that the state government separated Biju Patnaik from the Panchayati Raj system.” Biju Patnaik had strengthened the Panchayati Raj movement in the country and arranged 30 percent reservation in the Panchayati Raj system.
The Chief Minister’s Office said in a statement that the day has been celebrated every year as Panchayati Raj Day in Odisha, but this time this day will be celebrated on 24 April with a national level event.
