Bhubaneswar, April 11 -- The political atmosphere in Odisha has turned increasingly charged ahead of the death anniversary of legendry leader Biju Patnaik on April 17, with a renewed tussle over his legacy gaining momentum.

The central question dominating the discourse is whether the legacy will remain with Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal (BJD) or shift towards self-proclaimed Biju loyalists.

Both sides are preparing for a show of strength. While the BJD has decided to observe the death anniversary across all constituencies, Biju loyalists are planning a large-scale separate event in Bhubaneswar. A major gathering is scheduled at the OUAT Auditorium, where senior leaders, lawyers, intellectuals and supporters from various districts are...