Bhubaneswar: Veteran Lawmaker and former Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro passed away at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar on Saturday. He was 75.
After his health started deteriorating, he was admitted in a private hospital this afternoon and later passed away, his family members said.
Born on December 24, 1948, he was elected to State Legislative Assembly seven times from Mohana and Digapahandi constituencies from Janata Dal and BJD.
Shri Patro was the sitting MLA of Biju Janata Dal representing Digapahandi Assembly constituency in Chief Minister’s home district Ganjam.
He was elected to the Assembly from Mohana seat four times and three times from Digapahandi segment. The senior BJD leader was first elected to the Assembly from Mohana constituency in 1990. Since then, he never tasted an electoral defeat in his life.
He served as a Minister of various departments including Revenue, IT, Energy, Forest & Environment, Fisheries & ARD, I&PR, Cooperation, and Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare in former CM Biju Patnaik and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s cabinet.
Shri Patro also served as Assembly Speaker from June 2019 to June 2022. He was dropped from the position due to his health issues, sources said.
He also served as councilor, Berhampur Municipality, Chairman of OMFED, OPPOLOFED, FISHFED, President of Orissa Private Motors Transport Workers Union, Vice-President Chilika Development Authority, and Chairman, OREDA. He was survived by two sons and a daughter.
BJD Veteran A U Singh Deo condoled his demise and said Shri Patro was a great asset of BJD.
Shri Singhdeo praised Shri Patro for his humane values and friendly approach towards all.
Senior BJD leaders including Pramila Mallick, Tusharkanti Behera, Pratap Jena, and other party leaders have paid condolences on the demise of Patro.
“My heartfelt condolences on the passing of Shri Surjya Narayan Patro, MLA-Digapahandi, Ganjam. His sudden departure has left a void that is difficult to fill. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this challenging time. May his soul rest in peace. Om shanti,” said BJD leader Pratap Jena.