"Politics without morality is hypocrisy": Ex Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik on 91st birth anniversary of Harischandra Baxipatra

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], November 18 (ANI): Former Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief Naveen Patnaik on Sunday underlined the importance of mortality in politics, calling politics without morality 'hypocrisy'. He stated that only a politician with high moral values can bring meaningful changes in people's lives.
Speaking at an event in Bhubaneswar to mark the 91st birth anniversary of former Odisha minister Harishchandra Baxipatra, Patnaik described politics as a commitment to extend unconditional service to the people.
"Politics without morality is hypocrisy. A dedicated and committed politician with high morality alone can bring about transformative changes in the lives of people," the former Odisha Chief Minister said.

ରାଜନୀତି ହେଉଛି ନିସ୍ଵାର୍ଥପର ସେବା ଓ ପ୍ରତିବଦ୍ଧତା। ନୀତି ବିହୀନ ରାଜନୀତି କେବଳ ଛଳନା ମାତ୍ର। ଓଡ଼ିଶା ରାଜନିତୀରେ ଏକ ସ୍ୱତନ୍ତ୍ର ସ୍ଥାନ ଅଧିକାର କରିଥିବା ବିଶିଷ୍ଟ ଜନନେତା ହରିଶ୍ଚନ୍ଦ୍ର ବକ୍ସିପାତ୍ରଙ୍କ ଜୟନ୍ତୀରେ ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧାଞ୍ଜଳି ଜଣାଇଲି।

ସଂଗ୍ରାମ ହିଁ ଥିଲା ତାଙ୍କର ସବୁଠାରୁ ବଡ଼ ପରିଚୟ। ଜଣେ ମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ବା ବିଧାୟକ ଭାବରେ… pic.twitter.com/6TSVSWYvH0

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) November 18, 2024

The BJD President further elaborated on the essence of politics. He added, "Politics is a commitment; a commitment to work for an ideal, a commitment to extend unconditional service to the people. No doubt politics is the fountain bed of power and also a medium to do good for the people."
Patnaik then stressed that people's love is more important than power, status and position, highlighting that people's satisfaction is the greatest asset for a leader.
"Many consider politics as a springboard to power. But I believe that people's love is more important than the world of power, status and position. People's satisfaction is the greatest asset for a leader," Patnaik added.
Former Odisha Minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadai and Social Scientist Jogendra Yadav were also present at the event.
Reflecting on the life of Harishchandra Baxipatra, Patnaik said, "Late Harishchandra Baxipatra occupied a special place in the political history of Odisha and India. An ardent follower of socialism Late Baxipatra started his career as a Student Leader. His relentless fight against exploitation, his fight for the cause of Farmers, Tribals and the underprivileged had few parallels in the history of Odisha."
Patnaik also underscored Baxipatra's close association with legendary Biju Patnaik and his role as a minister in Biju Patnaik's cabinet. "He was a true friend of the poor people. He had deep faith in socialist ideals and this ideal was reflected in his life and work," he said.
"Nowadays the absence of such idealistic leaders is strongly felt in politics," Patnaik added.
Sharing pictures from the event on X, Patnaik wrote," Politics is selfless service and commitment. Politics without principles is just an illusion. Tribute to eminent leader Harishchandra Baxipatra who occupied a special place in Odisha politics on his birth anniversary."
"Struggle was his greatest identity. This identity was much higher than the identity as a minister or MLA. He was a true friend of the poor people. He had deep faith in socialist ideals and this ideal was reflected in his life and work," the post read.
Patnaik's post further added, "Politics is a commitment, a commitment to an ideal, a commitment to serve the people selflessly. Only committed politicians can bring change in people's lives. In my opinion, power, position and reputation are inferior to the love of the people. The satisfaction of the general public is the most valuable asset of a politician. Odisha." (ANI)