PM Narendra Modi remembers Biju Patnaik on his birthday

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today remembered late Biju Patnaik, the legendary leader of Odisha, on his 101st birth anniversary and said he had positively impacted many lives.

"On his birth anniversary, I pay my tributes to the beloved Biju Babu. He served society with diligence & positively impacted many lives," Modi tweeted.

Biju Patnaik, who was born on this day in 1916, was a two-time Chief Minister of Odisha.

Revered by many as 'Sher-e-Utkal' (Lion of Odisha), Biju Patnaik was initially in the Congress but he left the party after differences with Indira Gandhi and floated a regional party named 'Utkal Congress'.

Later, he was a part of the Janata Dal till his demise in 1997.

His son and current Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik subsequently split Janata Dal and founded Biju Janata Dal.