In a significant move, the Odisha government on Monday announced that March 5 will be observed solely as the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik and not as ‘Panchayati Raj Day,’ as had been the practice for decades. The government has also decided to cancel the state holiday on March 5.

The decision has drawn criticism from the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which accused the BJP-led state government of undermining Biju Patnaik’s contribution to the Panchayati Raj system. Former minister and senior BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra said, “It is unfortunate that the state government has delinked Biju Patnaik from the Panchayati Raj system. It was he who strengthened the panchayati raj movement in the country and introduced 30 per cent reservation for women in the three-tier system.”

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) clarified that while March 5 had been celebrated as ‘Panchayati Raj Divas’ in Odisha for years, this time the day will be observed on April 24 to align with the national observance of Panchayati Raj Day.

The move marks a shift in the state’s political and administrative approach to the legacy of Biju Patnaik, a towering figure in Odisha’s history. However, it has also sparked debate on whether the decision reflects a mere administrative alignment or a deeper political strategy by the BJP government in the state.