Bhubaneswar: Naveen Patnaik, president of the Biju Janata Dal and Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly, on Monday strongly criticised BJP MP Nishikant Dubey over his remarks linking former State Chief Minister Biju Patnaik with the CIA.
Talking to reporters, Patnaik described the allegation as outrageous and historically unfounded.
In a post on X, Naveen said he was 13 years old at the time and clearly remembered the circumstances, adding that such statements were completely baseless.
He also criticised Dubey for making such claims against a leader of Biju Patnaik’s stature.
Referring to historical context, Patnaik highlighted his father’s role during the Sino-Indian War. He said then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had entrusted Biju Patnaik with key responsibilities and had arranged for him to operate close to the Prime Minister’s office to assist in critical operations.
The controversy began after Dubey alleged that Biju Patnaik acted as a link between the US government, the CIA, and Nehru during the 1962 war. The remarks triggered strong reactions across Odisha.
The BJD rejected the allegations as baseless, calling them an insult to the legacy of a respected leader.
Amid the row, Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra resigned from a parliamentary committee chaired by Dubey. Patra said he could not continue under someone who had made disrespectful remarks about Biju Patnaik.
Patra also raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha and termed the comments an insult to Odisha’s pride and identity. BJD members demanded an apology from Dubey and staged a walkout from the House.
The party said Biju Patnaik’s contributions to India’s freedom struggle and nation-building are well documented and cannot be distorted by irresponsible remarks.
