The Odisha Assembly witnessed an intense political showdown as members of the opposition stormed into the Well of the House, protesting against the alleged disrespect to the late former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik. Things got pretty wild in the assembly hall, with slogans ringing out everywhere. You could really feel the tension between the ruling BJP and the opposition parties, especially the BJD and Congress.

Controversy Over Panchayati Raj Divas

One of the core issues triggering the uproar was the Odisha government's decision to observe Panchayati Raj Divas on April 24 instead of Biju Patnaik’s birth anniversary on March 5. Opposition leaders are calling out the BJP-led state government for trying to wipe away the legacy of this iconic leader, who really helped shape Odisha’s political scene.

The BJD, founded by Biju Patnaik’s son Naveen Patnaik, strongly opposed this move, stating that since 1993, Panchayati Raj Divas had been observed on Biju Patnaik Jayanti. However, the BJP government defended its decision, stating that April 24 is nationally recognized as Panchayati Raj Divas and aligning Odisha’s observance with the national calendar would be a logical step.

Opposition's Aggressive Stand

The opposition members, led by BJD MLA Adhiraj Panigrahi and Congress leader Taraprasad Bahinipati, took their protest to the next level. The chaos inside the House escalated when some legislators attempted to climb the Speaker's podium, shouting slogans demanding the reinstatement of March 5 as Panchayati Raj Divas.

The Speaker, Surama Padhy, had to adjourn the proceedings multiple times as the disorder continued. The morning session was disrupted, and even after the House resumed at noon, the protests did not subside, leading to another adjournment till 4 PM.

Protest Beyond the Assembly

The demonstrations were not limited to the Assembly premises. BJD members staged a sit-in near the statue of Biju Patnaik, expressing their anger against the state government’s decision. At the same time, Congress leaders held a demonstration near Mahatma Gandhi’s statue, criticizing the government for what they called "disrespect" towards Odisha’s beloved leader.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders dismissed the opposition’s allegations, asserting that their government held Biju Patnaik in high regard and that the decision was purely administrative. Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik defended the move, accusing the opposition of creating unnecessary hurdles in the Assembly’s proceedings.

Women's Safety Also a Key Issue

Apart from the Biju Patnaik issue, Congress leaders raised concerns over rising crimes against women in the state. They claimed that since the BJP came to power in Odisha in June 2024, cases of violence against women had surged, and the government had failed to ensure their safety. This added another layer of confrontation between the ruling party and the opposition.

The BJP’s Counterattack

The ruling BJP remained firm on its stand, rejecting the allegations of disrespecting Biju Patnaik. They argued that the opposition was trying to politicize the issue to divert attention from their own failures. BJP leaders claimed that Biju Patnaik’s legacy would always be honored and that observing Panchayati Raj Divas on April 24 was not an act of disrespect but a step towards uniformity with the national calendar.