Bhubaneswar, April 17 (IANS): The 20th death anniversary of former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik was observed in the state on Monday.

Political leaders, cutting across party lines, and people from all walks of life paid rich tributes to the leader on the occasion.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the son of Biju Patnaik, offered floral tributes to the legendary leader at a function in the assembly premises.

"On the 20th death anniversary of Biju Babu, we should remember all the great works he did for Odisha and tremendous sacrifices he made for the state," said the Chief Minister, who also visited the Biju Patnaik memorial in Puri to offer his tributes.

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which has been named after the legendary leader, organised several programmes across the state apparently to counter the impact of the BJP national executive meeting, which concluded here on Sunday.

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi took out a roadshow during the executive meeting, several stalwarts of the saffron party, including BJP Chief Ministers, attended the meet.

Meanwhile, renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik paid tribute to legendary Biju Patnaik by creating a sand art, requesting the Bharat Ratna for the leader. Several BJD leaders also demanded the Bharat Ratna for the former Chief Minister.

Bijayananda Patnaik, born on March 5 in 1916, was a two-time Chief Minister of Odisha.