Veteran Leader and Odisha’s First BJP MLA Prasanna Patanayak Passes Away at 76

Veteran Leader and Odisha’s First BJP MLA Prasanna Patanayak Passes Away at 76

Prasanna Patanayak, Odisha's first BJP MLA, passed away at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar on Friday. He was 76 and is survived by his wife and two daughters. According to family sources, he had been admitted to the hospital on Thursday after his health deteriorated.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, BJP state president Manmohan Samal, and several ministers and legislators have expressed deep sorrow over his demise.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Chief Minister Majhi wrote, “I am deeply saddened and shocked by the passing of Prasanna Patanayak, a dedicated leader in Odisha's political landscape and the first BJP MLA from the state. His contributions to education, social service, and politics, as well as his role in strengthening our party, will always be remembered. His loss is a profound one for the state. My heartfelt condolences. May Lord Jagannath grant peace to his soul.”

Patanayak was elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly three times, in 1977, 1985, and 1990 , from the Kamakshyanagar constituency in Dhenkanal district. He began his political career with the Janata Party, securing his first electoral victory in 1977. In a historic win, he became the first BJP candidate to be elected to the state assembly in 1985. Later, in 1990, he joined Biju Patnaik’s Janata Dal and won his third term. Patanayak returned to the BJP in 2014, reaffirming his commitment to the party.

His mortal remains were brought to the state BJP headquarters in Bhubaneswar, where leaders, party workers, and citizens paid their respects. His final rites will be conducted at Swargadwar in Puri, party sources confirmed.