India, March 5 -- Former Odisha Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday strongly criticized the BJP government in the state for shifting the celebration of Panchayati Raj Diwas from March 5 (Biju Patnaik's birth anniversary) to April 24.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion of Biju Patnaik's birth anniversary, Naveen termed the decision as an attempt to erase the legacy of the legendary leader. He questioned the rationale behind altering a tradition that has been followed for over 30 years.

"For more than three decades, Odisha has celebrated Panchayati Raj Diwas on March 5. What is the reason for this decision? You can change the names of awards, deface his statues, and alter the dates, but you cannot take away the l...