Bhubaneswar: The BJD is organising an event on January 27 to release a pictorial biography of Biju Patnaik. The event will be attended by the who's who of Indian politics cutting across party lines.

The BJD is worried about the rising popularity of the BJP and thinks that facing a resurgent BJP will be a major challenge. Former President Pranab Mukherjee will release the book. BJP vice president and minister Surjya Narayan Patro said: "Besides Mukherjee, the meeting will be attended by leaders cutting across party lines including former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda , senior BJP leader and former deputy Prime minister Lal Krishna Advani and CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury."

Advani is the only surviving cabinet colleague of Biju Patnaik from the Janata Party government of 1977 who is active in politics. The other two leaders of Biju era - Atal Bihari Vajpayee and George Fernandes - are keeping away from public life because of their ill health. The book has been written by Sudarshan Ganeshan.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik has already personally talked to these leaders. "Senior BJD leaders have already met them and taken their consent," said a BJD leader.

The pictorial biography contains rare photographs of Biju including his cycling to Peshawar, coming to state secretariat on a bicycle and his love for flying.

Sources said the party is gearing up to project Naveen as well by organizing the event relating to Biju. " The event will prove how Naveen has emerged as a strong son of Biju babu and strived hard to make Biju babu's dream to make Odisha a prosperous state into a reality," said another leader.

The BJD is trying to show off its authority using Biju babu's charisma by inviting Opposition leaders and also to show that Naveen personally enjoys good relations with national leaders. However, BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said: "An attempt is being made to give a different colour to the book release. But, it is being organised by Biju Patnaik Centenary Committee."