Demand of 'Bharat Ratna' for legendary Biju Patnaik

The BJD has been long demanding the 'Bharat Ratna' award for former Orissa CM and towering leader late Biju Patnaik, but it was ignored by successive governments at the centre including the NDA government of which the BJD has been a trusted ally. However, the latest developments in which several parties have started demanding 'Bharat Ratna' for their leaders, have given BJD some hopes of renewing its demand. And, exactly did it.

The Orissa CM and BJD President Naveen Patnaik has demanded that country's highest civilian award be conferred on his father late Biju Patnaik. He said there have demands to confer the 'Bharat Ratna' award on Biju Patnaik in the past too. Now the party has decided to do this in a dignified and correct manner to suit the legendary personality.

The late Biju Patnaik is considered the most influential leader Orissa has ever produced. He had received accolade both in India and abroad. He was conferred several prestigious civilian honours in Indonesia and Russia. The Indonesian government had conferred its highest civilian award "Bhumiputra" or "Son of the Soil" on Biju Patnaik decades ago.