Naveen Breaks Silence on Trust Row

Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday addressed the controversy surrounding the ‘Biju Naveen Inspirational Foundation’, a charitable trust set up in the name of his late father, Biju Patnaik.

Patnaik said the trust was conceived during a personal health crisis, just before he underwent a major cervical spine surgery in Mumbai in June 2025. He stated that he had visited Delhi earlier to consult legal and financial experts on establishing a public charitable trust.

“I decided to open a trust in Biju Babu’s name for the benefit of the people of Odisha,” he said, recalling his father’s legacy of philanthropy. He also mentioned past contributions by the family, including the donation of Anand Bhawan in Cuttack for public use.

The former Chief Minister clarified that the foundation was started with his personal contribution of Rs 1 lakh and has no connection with any political party.

“No funds from the Biju Janata Dal or any political party will be used for the trust,” he said, adding that the initiative is meant purely for public welfare.

He termed the clarification necessary due to “negative stories” and misleading reports circulating about the trust.

The trust, registered in New Delhi on May 9, 2025, has recently come under scrutiny after documents surfaced and allegations were raised by some former BJD members regarding its purpose, registration location and possible links to political figures.