Bhubaneswar, March 4 -- The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has described the Odisha government's decision to discontinue observing March 5, the birth anniversary of Biju Babu, as Panchayati Raj Divas as highly unfortunate and a reflection of narrow-mindedness. In a statement, BJD Coordination Committee Chairman Devi Prasad Mishra said that March 5 has been celebrated as Panchayati Raj Divas in Odisha for the past three decades. He stated that Odisha has been recognized as a leading state in implementing the Panchayati Raj system in the country. This achievement was made possible under the leadership of former Chief Minister Biju Babu, prompting the then-state government to designate his birthday as Panchayati Raj Divas. However, Mishra cr...