Bhubaneswar: A day after the Odisha Government issued fresh guidelines for 'Odisha Rajya Krida Samman' changing the name of 'Biju Patnaik Sports Award', Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi cleared the air on renaming the award.

"Biju Patnaik Krida Puraskar's name will not be changed and it will continue," the CM said ruling out the media reports on Sunday.

Briefing the press today, Majhi said that he came to know about the change of 'Biju Patnaik Krida Puraskar' name from the media.

"The award named after Biju Patnaik has been given since a long time in Odisha. No decision has been taken officially to rename the 'Biju Patnaik Krida Puraskar'. My government respects the statesmen of Odisha. The contribution of Biju Babu to Odisha as well as the nation during his decades-long political and social life will always be remembered. 'Biju Patnaik Krida Puraskar' will continue as before. There is no plan to change its name," the CM clarified.

The statement came after the BJP government led by Mohan Majhi faced flak from the opposition BJD over renaming Biju Patnaik Sports Award.