BJD MP quits House panel protesting disparaging remarks against Biju Patnaik

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Rajya Sabha member Sasmit Patra on Saturday (March 28, 2026) resigned from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT and Communications, protesting panel chairperson Nishikant Dubey’s disparaging remarks against Biju Patnaik.   

Mr. Dubey, speaking to reporters on Friday (March 27, 2026), had alleged that the former Odisha Chief Minister was a “link” between the U.S. government, the CIA, and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Mr. Dubey further alleged that Biju Patnaik provided patronage to the Charbatia air base in Odisha, which was used by the U.S. 

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is named after Biju Patnaik, who served as the Chief Minister of Odisha twice, from 1961 to 1963 and 1990 to 1995. He was also a leading freedom fighter, a pilot who was known for his involvement in daring operations such as flying into Jakarta to rescue Indonesian independence leaders in 1947 and for participating in the Stalingrad Operation during World War II. 

Mr. Dubey, targeting India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on Friday (March 27, 2026), had alleged that the 1962 war against China was fought using “American money” and in “collaboration” with CIA agents. He said, “Biju Patnaik, the then Chief Minister of Odisha, was a link between the U.S. government, the CIA, and Nehru… I released two of Nehru’s letters today in which he is telling his officials, especially the then American ambassador, to do their job. Nehru told the officials the government had sent Patnaik (to the U.S.) for important work, and he is talking about defence matters.”

He further alleged Patnaik’s role in helping set up U.S. air base in Odisha. “Then there was the Charbatia air base in Odisha, in which Biju Patnaik ji was involved, built for U-2 spy planes. That aircraft base was used by the U.S. between 1963 and 1979. The Congress could not have carried out a bigger attack on democracy than this. It should apologise,” he added.

Hitting out at Mr. Dubey, Mr. Patra said he was attempting to distort history and malign a “revered leader” for political gains.

“Deeply shocked and anguished by the outrageous, false, and irresponsible insinuations made against Biju Patnaik ji — a towering freedom fighter, visionary leader, and son of the soil whose contribution to the nation is beyond question,” he wrote on X on Saturday (March 28, 2026).

While announcing his resignation from the parliamentary panel headed by Mr. Dubey, Mr. Patra said he could not serve under someone who made such disrespectful remarks about a national icon. “The legacy of Biju Patnaik ji will always stand taller than petty politics,” he said.