Bhubaneswar: Veteran BJD leader and former Odisha Assembly Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro passed away on Saturday. He was 75.
According to reports, Patro was admitted to the private hospital this afternoon after his health deteriorated. He breathed his last late at 7.31 pm.
A seven-time MLA, Surjya Narayan Patro was the sitting MLA of Digapahandi Assembly Constituency.
Known for his organizational skills, Patro emerged one of the most popular leaders in Ganjam district. He had been elected to the Legislative Assembly continuously since 1990. He was elected from Mohana constituency for four times. After delimitation in 2009, he was elected from Digapahandi assembly constituency of Ganjam district.
Patro also served as Cabinet Minister both in the Biju Patnaik Government as well as the Naveen Patnaik Government. He had held import portfolios like Energy, Revenue and Food distribution in the CM Naveen Patnaik’s cabinet.
A pall of gloom descended across the State following the demise of the veteran political leader.
