Naveen draws flak for not turning up to pay homage to Bansi Panda
ONI Bureau: BJD President & CM Naveen Patnaik drew flak for not visiting Doyen of Odisha Industry, Dr. Bansidhar Panda, who passed away yesterday at the age of 87. While the CM sent a condolence message through the press, neither he nor any BJD leaders or Ministers bothered to visit the departed leader.
🙏Om Shanti
My father Dr Bansidhar Panda passed away today at 87 after visiting his birthplace & praying to our Ishta Devata Nrusinghanath. We just cremated him amid several thousnd well wishers. During the day many came & paid last respects incl sr leaders of Congress, BJP & CPI— Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) May 22, 2018
The Intellectuals, Journalists as well as common people in Odisha disapproved the act of CM and BJD, saying political rivalry and hatred should be kept aside when it comes to humanity.
I think it's a matter of utter shame that the CM did not pay his last respects to the late Banshidhar Panda – a trailblazer for industrialism in Odisha. Doing so would have only made him the bigger and better person.
— Tanaya Patnaik (@tanaya_p) May 22, 2018
It can be recalled that Late Bansidhar Panda was a former Scientist who along with late Biju Patnaik started industrial revolution in Odisha. Both the families shared close bonding, but things changed following the strained relationship between Naveen & Jay Panda. Many people still remember Baijayant Panda was one of the pallbearers at late Biju Patnaik’s funeral.
ଇତିହାସରେ ନାଁ ରହିଗଲା ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ପ୍ରଶାସକଙ୍କର..
😑😑 #ରାଜନୀତି_ବନାମ_ରାଷ୍ଟ୍ରନୀତି https://t.co/MP8diQ8MS2— ନିଧି ଅଜା (@nidhi_budha) May 23, 2018
End of an Era! as @PandaJay points out many paid last respects incl sr leaders of Congress, BJP & CPI… so none came from his own party? Ugly manifestation of suspended MP's strained relations with @bjd_odisha https://t.co/Xi2emW6LVZ
— Ashok Pradhan (@AshokPradhanTOI) May 22, 2018
Many Congress, BJP & CPI leaders including Niranjan Patnaik, Jual Oram, Bijoy Mohapatra were the firsts to rush to Bansi Panda’s house to pay homage. Later, his mortal remains were confined to flames at his ancestral village in Cuttack. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was the first person to sent condolence to Baijayant Panda. He also released a video statement hailing Bansidhar panda and expressing grief at his sad demise.
#WATCH: 'Bansidhar Panda was an institution all by himself and his death is a great loss for #Odisha,' says Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan pic.twitter.com/BQsx7bp0kz
— OTV (@otvnews) May 22, 2018
He was a pioneer of industry in the state, a towering figure. May his soul Rest In Peace. 🙏🏻
It does seem that the govt & leadership of the state are conspicuously absent in paying their homage – current political differences shouldn’t hv come in the way of this. Lament this… https://t.co/BDeSxlIvfs— Srikumar Misra (@srikmisra) May 22, 2018
I always liked Naveen Patnaik. But the callous way in which he behaved with @PandaJay on the occasion of his father’s death makes me shudder. Very small minded and petty to not attend the funeral!
— Shefali Vaidya. (@ShefVaidya) May 22, 2018
#WATCH: 'Bansidhar Panda was an institution all by himself and his death is a great loss for #Odisha,' says Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan pic.twitter.com/BQsx7bp0kz
— OTV (@otvnews) May 22, 2018