BHUBANESWAR: After successfully bringing Paika rebellion, the 1817 uprising against British rule in the State by peasant militia, to the centre-stage of Odisha politics, the BJP is making an all-out effort to regroup Paikas as a strong political force to come to power.
In this effort of the saffron party, Lulu Sena, a youth brigade owing allegiance to former firebrand Congress leader Lalatendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra, has come forward in a big way to extend support to BJP much to the chagrin of the ruling BJD and the Opposition Congress.
The BJP is planning to whip up strong emotion among the people on an issue which is not only apolitical but also requires legitimacy in the pages of history.
A function, organised by Lulu Sena to felicitate Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan for taking up the cause with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and making it possible to celebrate the bi-centenary of Paika Bidroha at the national level, resolved to fulfil the dream of Lulu by establishing a museum at Gada Rodanga, the native village of the Congress leader who is a direct descendant of the legendary freedom fighter Buxi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar Mohapatra.
Invoking the name of Buxi Jagabandhu, Pradhan on Sunday gave an impassioned call to the people of the State for bringing back the lost glory of the State.
Senior party leader and former minister Biswabhushan Harichandan said history has been distorted and it is about time it is re-written to give Paikas their due glory.
“We will meet at Gada Rodanga on November 6, the death anniversary of Lulu, to commemorate his contribution to the State politics and realise his dream of establishing a museum to showcase the significant role Paikas played in freedom struggle,” Pradhan said.
It was also suggested that a statue of Buxi Jagabandhu be installed at Barunei hills along with a museum.
Pradhan said the event should not be seen in political lenses. It is the responsibility of all Odias to feel proud about the great sacrifices their forefathers had made for their better future, he added.
Sunday’s event, however, signals that Lulu’s supporters have given an indirect message to the Congress that the grand old party may ignore the contribution of the departed leader at its own peril.