Bhubaneswar, 18 March (H.S.): A political controversy has erupted over the formation of the ‘Biju Naveen Inspirational Foundation’, with Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik issuing a clarification, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has questioned the timing and intent behind the trust’s establishment.

Addressing the issue, Patnaik said the trust was created during a period when he was preparing to undergo major neck surgery. He stated that before his operation in Mumbai, he travelled to Delhi to consult legal and financial experts regarding the formation of the trust.

Patnaik explained that the foundation was established in the name of Biju Babu for the welfare of the people of Odisha. He said the trust was initiated with a personal contribution of ₹1 lakh and clarified that no funds from the BJD or any political party would be utilised for its operations. He further noted that the clarification was issued in response to what he described as misleading reports circulating in sections of the media.

Meanwhile, the BJP has raised concerns regarding the trust’s formation and functioning. BJP MLA Santosh Khatua questioned why the clarification was made months after the trust was registered. He pointed out that the trust was reportedly formed on May 9, 2025, and sought details about its registration and operational framework. Khatua also asked why the trust, if intended for Odisha, had not been registered within the state.

The controversy gained momentum after suspended BJD leader Shreemayee Mishra shared documents related to the foundation on social media, alleging that the trust could be part of a broader strategy concerning party assets and financial matters.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda