BHUBANESWAR: Even as the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has made 'Bharat Ratna for late Biju Patnaik' a major issue in his birth centenary year to be celebrated through out 2016 in Odisha, the state government has never recommended his name for the highest civilian award to the Centre.
This came to the fore in a written reply by chief minister Naveen Patnaik to a question from Dilip Ray (BJP). He said 75 people from Odisha have received Padma Bibhusan, Padma Bhusan and Padma Shree awards while no one has received Bharat Ratna from the state so far. Naveen said at least 17 persons from the State have received Padma awards since 2007.
The Opposition Congress and BJP have strongly criticised the state government for the matter. Stating that the BJD is trying to politicise the issue in view of the 2017 panchayat polls, leader of the Opposition Narasingh Mishra alleged that the ruling party's demand is not serious. He recalled that a resolution was passed in the assembly by the BJD last year in the absence of the Congress and BJP members.
The reply of chief minister has assumed significance as the ruling BJD has been demanding Bharat Ratna for former chief minister Biju Patnaik at different forums and even criticised the Centre's apathetic attitude towards the State in this regard.
The assembly had adopted a resolution seeking 'Bharat Ratna' for Biju Patnaik on December 16, 2016. The resolution passed by the assembly empowered the state government to make a demand before the Centre for conferring Bharat Ratna on Biju Patnaik posthumously and observe birth centenary of the legendary leader next year.
Moving the resolution, Government chief whip Ananta Das had announced that a year-long centenary celebration of Biju Patnaik will be observed both in the State and at the national level beginning from March 5, 2016. Necessary steps will be taken to recommend the Centre for granting Bharat Ratna for the great leader. However, the state government is yet to recommend his name for the highest civilian honour.