CM Naveen Patnaik’s open letter to workers ahead of Biju’s death anniversary

BHUBANESWAR: Chief minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday wrote an open letter to his party members and urged them to take an oath on April 17, the death anniversary of his father and late chief minister Biju Patnaik, to work towards a prosperous and new Odisha.
Biju, who served as the state chief minister for seven years in two terms (from 05-03-1990 to 15-03-1995 and 23-06-1961 to 02-10-1963), passed away on April 17, 1997. BJD or Biju Janata Dal, was named after Biju, and founded on December 26, 1997. Naveen, who has been governing the state since 2000, has named several schemes and projects after his father’s name.
“As a disciplined worker of the BJD, I draw inspiration from Biju babu’s ideology, sacrifice, service, struggle and self-esteem and take the pledge to work for building a prosperous, empowered and self-respecting new Odisha,” Naveen’s letter read, asking the party workers to observe Biju’s 26th death anniversary in a low-key manner across the state. In his letter, Naveen, who has been preaching Biju legacy, described his father as a tall statesman, who dedicated his life to the service of the people.