Nishikant Dubey’s statement on Biju Patnaik keeps Odisha politics boiling
For a soft-spoken politician like Naveen Patnaik, the phrase was: “I think the MP [Nishikant Dubey] he needs the attention of a mental doctor” and Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra’s departure from the Parliamentary standing committee may seem like disproportionate reactions to what he described as a ‘tasteless’ comment about the legendary Biju Patnaik by a BJP MP known for making controversial statements.
But such a reaction was both inevitable and non-negotiable for the leaders of the Biju Janata Dal, given that the foundation of the party rests on the legacy of Biju Patnaik’s achievements. While BJP leaders like Baijayant Panda and Dilip Ray made statements praising the legendary leader and his contribution to the country, they stopped short of directly condemning or calling for action against him.
Since then, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has taken to the streets, gaining some political ground amidst the controversy following its Rajya Sabha defeat. Party leaders sought to reconnect with the public after Biju Patnaik became revered beyond party boundaries due to poor portrayal of his role in shaping modern Odisha. They also targeted BJP leaders for their silence on the issue.
Senior BJD leader Ranendra Pratap Swain tabled a motion titled “Undermining the pride of Odiyas by defamation and false statement against Biju Babu” in the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
The meeting on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, witnessed a rowdy scene with BJD MLAs shouting over these remarks. Many also insisted that a resolution condemning this statement be passed by Parliament. Congress and BJP MPs also described the statement as unfortunate. Speaker Surama Padhy said the notification will be discussed by the business advisory committee.
“This has certainly provided fodder for the BJD to remain in circulation, more importantly by galvanizing the sense of victimhood. For decades, the legendary Biju Patnaik has remained out of the political debate for the people of Odisha. Calling him a CIA conduit is not only distasteful but also damaging for the BJP, which now seems to be struggling to defend its own MP,” said senior journalist and political commentator Rabi Das.
“None of the rising leaders of the BJP like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani or Prime Minister Narendra Modi made statements that would put Biju Patnaik in a bad light. He symbolized Odia asmita (pride). I fail to see what the BJP will gain by criticizing the reputation of a former Odisha CM and Naveen Patnaik’s father,” he asked.
BJD chief Naveen Patnaik uncharacteristically used strong words to criticize this comment, saying: “I think the MP needs the attention of a mental doctor.”
Expressing surprise, he said, “I was shocked to hear the ugly things a BJP MP said about Biju Babu. I don’t think he knew that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had given him an office next to his own in Delhi, even when he was the CM of Odisha, to help with strategy during the China conflict. I was around 13 then, but I remember how angry Biju Babu was about the Chinese attack and how hard he tried to repel it.”
BJD MPs from Sasmit Patra to newly-elected Santrupta Mishra, along with state leaders, made public statements one after another, condemning the statement. Various wings of the party held demonstrations across the state.
However, the BJP’s response seemed a bit intriguing. “The controversies and statements made against late former Chief Minister of Odisha Biju Patnaik are extremely regrettable. I strongly condemn in the strongest terms the unseemly statements made against him,” said BJP MLA Babu Singh.
Senior leaders like BJD vice-president Baijayant Panda said: “Biju uncle was a towering personality; not only Odisha’s tallest leader of his time but also among the leading figures of the nation. To cast aspersions on his patriotism is fantastic and outright ridiculous. Such attacks are worthless, uninformed and totally unacceptable.”
Sujeet Kumar, the re-elected Rajya Sabha MP of the BJP, said in a post: “I have always maintained that Biju Babu, the real Ratna of India, is one of the most deserving of the Bharat Ratna and a portrait or statue of him in the Parliament complex.”
Dilip Ray, who recently won the Rajya Sabha election, highlighted Biju Patnaik’s legacy in a detailed post on social media platform X but refrained from demanding a retraction of the statement or an apology. BJD leaders termed the BJP leaders’ statement as a ritual. Congress leader Srikant Jena also criticized the statement.
After its electoral defeat in 2024, BJD had been in decline due to by-election losses, Rajya Sabha setbacks and desertion of party leaders. However, the words about Biju Patnaik brought the party ranks together. While Nishikant Dubey’s controversial comments were made outside Odisha, it is the State BJP that finds itself under constant attack.
It was published – 31 March 2026 12:56 IST
