Sasmit Patra resignation: BJD quits committee after Dubey remark on Biju Patnaik

BJD MP Sasmit Patra resigned from the Communications and IT Committee chaired by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey after Dubey alleged Biju Patnaik linked Jawaharlal Nehru and the CIA in the 1960s. BJD leaders criticised the remark as insulting to Odisha and demanded an apology, rejecting the claim.

BJD Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra resigned on Sunday from a Parliamentary panel led by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey. The step followed Dubey’s remarks about former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik. Patra quit the Communications and IT Committee, saying the comments crossed a line. The Biju Janata Dal also rejected Dubey’s claim and asked for an apology.

Dubey, in a statement on March 27, alleged that Biju Patnaik had links to US agencies. Dubey claimed Biju Patnaik connected former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the CIA in the 1960s. The comments triggered protests inside the BJD. Party MPs Manas Mangaraj, Subhasis Khuntia and Muzibulla Khan Munna Khan also attacked Dubey’s statement.

Biju Patnaik remarks row: BJD demands apology

BJD senior vice president Debi Prasad Mishra described Dubey’s statement as offensive and damaging. "We, as a political party, strongly condemn his statement and demand an apology from him,\" Mishra told. The party said the remarks hurt Odisha’s pride. The three BJD MPs accused Dubey of insulting the state and its political legacy.

The BJD was formed after Biju Patnaik’s death in 1997 by Naveen Patnaik. Biju Patnaik served as Odisha chief minister twice. The terms were from 1961 to 1963 and from 1990 to 1995. BJD leaders said Biju Patnaik’s public work and national role were being questioned without basis.

Biju Patnaik remarks row: Patra’s resignation letter to Rajya Sabha chairman

In a letter dated March 28, Patra informed the Rajya Sabha chairman about the resignation. \"In protest, and as a matter of principle, I am resigning from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT under the chairmanship of Shri Nishikant Dubey. I cannot, in good conscience, continue to serve under someone who makes disrespectful remarks about Late Shri Biju Patnaik ji as he did in a public statement.\"

Patra also asked that the resignation be accepted and sent to the Lok Sabha Speaker. Patra noted the panel functions under the Lok Sabha. Patra accused Dubey of making disparaging, false and baseless claims. Patra said the remarks targeted the reputation of Biju Patnaik and were framed in an unfair manner.

Biju Patnaik remarks row: claims and counter-claims on diplomacy and history

Patra said Biju Patnaik was recognised for work linked to India’s diplomacy. Patra said Biju Patnaik was respected for rescuing Indonesian freedom fighters. Patra also cited support for Russians during the Second World War. Patra added that Biju Patnaik was respected for contributions to the freedom movement.

Patra criticised the BJP’s stated position on Odia Asmita. \"They speak about Odia Asmita, but stoop to such levels to say such disparaging, false and concocted statements against a legend, a statesman like Biju Babu,\" Patra said. Patra said linking Biju Patnaik to disparaging references was extremely unfortunate.

Dubey, speaking to the media, linked the issue to Tibet and the 1962 war. \"America had sent its troops and CIA agents to Tibet, fearing that China would one day take over Tibet. The Dalai Lama and his brother were in constant contact with the US government. Nehru fought the entire 1962 war with China with American money and in collaboration with CIA agents. Biju Patnaik, the then chief minister of Odisha, was a link between the US government, the CIA, and Nehru.\"

Dubey also referred to Odisha’s Charbatia airport in the same statement. Dubey claimed the airport, with which Biju Patnaik was heavily involved, served as a base for U2 aircraft. Dubey further claimed the airbase housed US military from 1963 to 1979. The remarks remain at the centre of the dispute between the two parties.

With inputs from PTI