BJD MP Sasmit Patra. File | Photo credit: ANI
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 chairman Nishikant Dubey’s disparaging remarks against Biju Patnaik.
Speaking to reporters on Friday (March 27, 2026), Mr Dubey alleged that the former Odisha chief minister was a “liaison” between the US government, the CIA and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Mr. Dubey further alleged that Biju Patnaik had given patronage to the Charbatia Air Base in Odisha, which was used by the US.
The 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 participation in daring operations such as flying to Jakarta to rescue Indonesian independence leaders during World War II and participating in the Stalingrad Operation 194.
Targeting India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru on Friday (March 27, 2026), Mr Dubey alleged that the 1962 war against China was waged using “American money” and in “cooperation” with CIA agents. He said, “Biju Patnaik, the then chief minister of Odisha, was the link between the US government, the CIA and Nehru… Today I have released two letters of Nehru in which he tells his officials, especially the then US ambassador, to do their job. Nehru told the officials that the government had sent Patnaik (to the US) for important defense matters.”
He further alleged that Patnaik was involved in setting up the US air base in Odisha. “Then there was the Charbatia airbase in Odisha, which Biju Patnaik ji was involved in, built for U-2 spy planes. This airbase was used by the US from 1963 to 1979. Congress could not have made a bigger attack on democracy than this. It should apologise,” he added.
Hitting out at Mr Dubey, Mr Patra said he was trying to distort history and defame the “revered leader” for political gains.
“Deeply shocked and saddened by the inflammatory, false and irresponsible insinuations against Biju Patnaik ji – a tall freedom fighter, visionary leader and son of the soil whose contribution to the nation cannot be doubted,” he wrote on Saturday (March 28, 2026) on X.
Announcing his resignation from the parliamentary panel headed by Mr Dubey, Mr Patra said he could not serve under someone who had made such disrespectful remarks about a national icon. “Biju Patnaik’s legacy will always cost her more than petty politics,” he said.
Published – 29 March 2026 23:02 IST
