B’ngir leaders demand Bharat Ratna for Biju

BJD members of Balangir led by district unit vice-president Bhabani Hota and MP nominee Lotus Sarangi observed the birthday of the late Biju Patnaik at the Children's Park here on Monday.

They garlanded Bijubabu’s statue and recalled his efforts to make a developed Odisha. Speakers demanded that Bharat Ratna be given to the legendary leaders posthumously.

At another function, at Deogaon, 20 km from here, Deogaon Panchyat Samiti Chairman Reena Meher, Balangir District Central Cooperative Bank President Laxman Meher and Panchyat Samiti members recalled how Biju Patnaik endeavoured to develop Panchyati Raj institution and empower women.

The meeting also demanded Bharat Ratna for Bijubabu for his contributions to Odisha and India and for his role in international affairs.

However in a related development, the Panchyat Raj Day observation was boycotted by Chairman Ashok Dora and his supporters members at Gudvella alleging "no communication" by the Block Development Officer (BDO).

But BDO Vigyan Kumbhar denied the allegation, saying the invitation for celebration had been given to them through a special messenger.