Naveen Patnaik Submits Nomination for BJD Presidency for the 9th Time
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Synopsis
On April 17, Odisha's Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik filed his nomination for the president of Biju Janata Dal, being the sole candidate. He addressed a gathering on his father's death anniversary while criticizing attempts to alter historical contributions.
Key Takeaways
- Naveen Patnaik files for BJD president position.
- Only candidate for the presidency.
- Patnaik has been elected president eight consecutive times.
- Speaks against attempts to erase historical contributions.
- Urges focus on state development over historical revisionism.
Bhubaneswar, April 17 (NationPress) The Leader of the Opposition in Odisha and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik submitted his nomination documents for the position of president of the Biju Janata Dal at the party's headquarters, Sankha Bhawan, on Thursday.
Patnaik stood as the only candidate for the presidency of the primary opposition party, the BJD. He has held the position of BJD president for eight consecutive terms since its inception in 1997, with his most recent election occurring in 2020.
On this occasion, Patnaik also addressed a gathering commemorating the death anniversary of his father, Biju Patnaik.
In an indirect critique of the BJP-led state administration, the BJD chief remarked: “Currently, certain individuals are making a concerted effort to erase the contributions and sacrifices made by our illustrious leaders. There are attempts underway to alter history, yet it is essential to understand that history embodies the collective experiences of a nation over time. It cannot be modified at anyone's whim.”
He urged the government to focus on creating new chapters in the narrative of the state's development instead of squandering efforts on revising or eliminating historical accounts.
“Biju Patnaik’s vision was to elevate Odisha as a premier state in the nation. The Biju Janata Dal government has implemented numerous initiatives from 2000 to 2024 to realize the aspirations of Biju Babu. Throughout this time, significant advancements occurred across various sectors, and Odisha received both national and international acclaim,” Patnaik remarked.
In response, BJP state president Manmohan Samal expressed that his party holds great esteem for the late Biju Patnaik.
“We have profound respect for Biju Patnaik, an exemplary son of Odisha. The people of Odisha will always cherish the positive contributions made by Biju Babu. Today serves as an opportunity to pay tribute to him. However, the comments made by Naveen Patnaik appear politically driven,” Samal stated.
He further suggested that it is inappropriate for a former Chief Minister to voice such opinions.
Samal also mentioned that if Patnaik's remarks were influenced by an advisor, then those advisors are leading him astray; if they were his own thoughts, he ought to reconsider.
