BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik has broken his silence regarding the Biju-Nabin Personal Foundation, categorically denying any political funding.
Addressing concerns in the Assembly, Patnaik clarified that the trust is a private philanthropic initiative modeled after his father Biju Patnaik’s legendary generosity, including the donation of the Kalinga Prize and the family’s ancestral home, Ananda Bhawan.
The Chief Minister revealed the idea sparked during his medical recovery in Delhi. He is personally seeding the trust with ₹1 lakh of his own income.
Despite social media claims by Shrimayi Mishra that the foundation hands "control" to V.K. Pandian as Life President, alongside Santrupta Mishra and Ashok Parija, Patnaik urged the public to avoid negative rumors.
"This is for the people of Odisha, not a political party," he stated, emphasizing a legacy of self-sacrifice over power. The foundation aims to continue the family's tradition of promoting science and public welfare without external interference.