Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government’s decision to move Panchayati Raj Day from March 5 to April 24 has drawn criticism from the Congress. Former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik and Odisha’s founder Madhu Babu were allegedly “disrespecting” the state’s BJP administration, according to Odisha Congress President Bhakta Charan Das. The head of the state Congress also questioned the BJD’s (Biju Janata Dal) lack of response to this matter.

Das told the media report, “They are demeaning Biju Patnaik ji and they did not appreciate Madhu Babu, the founder of Odisha. The BJP administration will continue to meddle in the cultural affairs of Odisha. The governing BJP is using the BJD as a slave. For what reason do they fear the BJP? This is the depressing situation with the opposing party.

The Odisha government will commemorate Panchayati Raj Diwas on April 24 rather than March 5, which is the birth anniversary of former chief minister Biju Patnaik, according to a statement released by the Chief Minister’s Office.

On Monday, the state BJP administration announced that it will commemorate March 5 as the former chief minister’s birth anniversary rather than as “Panchayati Raj Day,” as has been done for many years. Additionally, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), there will be no government holiday on March 5.

According to the statement, March 5th is recognized as ‘Panchayati Raj Divas’ in Odisha each year; however, this year it will fall on April 24 in accordance with the national observance.

The government of Odisha will no longer celebrate Panchayati Raj Divas on March 5, Biju Babu’s birthday. On April 24, Panchayati Raj Divas will be celebrated instead. Today, the CM authorized the revised date. Biju Patnaik, the renowned leader of Odisha, was born on March 5.

Instead of celebrating March 5 as “Panchayati Raj Day,” the state BJP administration has chosen to mark the anniversary of former chief minister Biju Patnaik’s birth. In addition, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) declared in a statement that the Odisha government has canceled the holiday on that day.

The national ‘Panchayati Raj Day’ is held on April 24; however, Odisha has celebrated it on March 5 since the 1990s to commemorate Biju Patnaik’s birthday. Panchayat delegates from different states get honors on this day, such as the Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Award.

Hours after the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) requested that the state administration explain its stance on the Panchayati Raj Divas celebration on March 5, the state government made its declaration.