Bhubaneswar, March 18 -- Amid mounting political controversy over the formation of the Biju-Naveen Foundation, Leader of Opposition and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday issued a detailed clarification regarding the trust and its objectives.

Patnaik stated that the initiative was inspired by the legacy of his father, former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, who was widely known for his contributions to public service and philanthropy. He noted that Biju Patnaik had also instituted the Kalinga UNESCO Award to promote the popularisation of science.

Highlighting his family's contributions, Patnaik said that he and his siblings had donated the historic Anand Bhavan in Cuttack to the people of Odisha.

He further explained that the decisi...