Chief minister Naveen Patnaik pays tribute to former chief minister Biju Patnaik at his samadhi in Puri on the occasion of the latter’s 14th death anniversary. Picture by Sarat Patra

Bhubaneswar, April 17: The BJD today renewed its call to fight the Centre’s stepmotherly attitude towards Orissa.

Coming down heavily on the Centre at a function in the party office to mark the 14th death anniversary of Biju Patnaik, BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik said: “We have already protested against the Centre’s neglect of Orissa. We will continue to do so and work towards wiping the tears of the poor.”

Some other party leaders, including BJD youth wing president Sanjay Dasburma, also lashed out against the Centre accusing it of being miserly in releasing funds for the development of railways in the state. “They did not even come to our rescue when we were hit by natural disasters,” said Dasburma.

Naveen also took the opportunity to list out the achievements of his government stating that, among others things, it had ensured 50 per cent reservation for the women in the three-tier panchayat system. “The government is keen to being about inclusive growth. We are striving hard to take the benefits of governance at the doorstep of the poor,” he said.

Invoking the legacy of Biju Patnaik senior leader and agriculture minister Damodor Rout said the late leader had fought against the state’s neglect by the Centre. “At that time also some people had conspired against the growth of Orissa. Such elements are again active in the state,” he said.

Without naming Union minister of state for chemical and fertilisers Srikant Jena, Rout said: “Some leaders had opposed Bijubabu at that time. However, Bijubabu had forgiven one of them who he had called his prodigal son. The same person is trying to oppose Naveenbabu and undermine his good work for the state’s growth.” Incidentally, addressing a function here last week Jena had said that Bijubabu was also responsible for the underdevelopment of Orissa.

BJD vice-president and minister A.U. Singhdeo said: “Because of Naveen’s effort, value addition has been made to Orissa’s minerals and the state has taken up new economic activities.”

Singhdeo also called upon party workers to stand solidly behind the chief minister. “If we all want him to win a fourth term in office we should follow him wholeheartedly without questioning his authority. The followers should act as followers and not try to act as gurus,” he said in a veiled reference to some leaders who were allegedly trying to emerge as a parallel power centre in the party.

BJD youth wing president Sanjay Dasburma said: “The detractors had conspired against Biju Patnaik in 1967. Now, they are active again. However, despite their oppositions, the state has witnessed investments to the tune of Rs 6 lakh crore.” After the meeting, the chief minister went to the Swargadwar in Puri to pay homage to Bijubabu at the spot where his body was cremated. A number of meetings were organised across the state to mark the occasion.