Biju Patnaik is beyond political boundaries: Naveen

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said Biju Patnaik, whose birth centenary falls this year, is a legendary leader and beyond political boundaries.
"We in BJD are well aware that Biju Babu is beyond political boundaries. Hence, we should provide a platform for everyone cutting across party lines and other identities to celebrate the ideals of Odisha Swabhiman (pride), Odia identity and take Odisha ahead on the path of empowerment for which he stood," Patnaik said while unveiling a logo for the occasion.
A year-long Biju Patnaik birth centenary celebration has been planned from March 5, his birthday.
The government has constituted different committees to ensure smooth conduct of programmes marking the celebrations.

The chief minister suggested that his colleagues and others ensure that a plan of action should be made befitting the leader and what he stood for.
"It is not to promote Biju babu that we are doing this. In fact Biju Babu shunned publicity during his life time. Remembering him during his birth centenary should be to highlight the multifaceted aspect of Biju Babu's personality to inspire the people of Odisha to move forward and build a developed, prosperous and progressive Odisha," Naveen Patnaik, the younger son of the leader said.
Referring to criticism that the BJD had made Biju Patnaik's birth centenary celebration a party programme, Patnaik said all should be involved in it.