Bhubaneswar: Veteran Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and former Speaker of Odisha Assembly, Surjya Narayan Patro passed away on Saturday following a prolonged illness. He was 74.
Patro, also a former Minister, had been ailing for the last several months and breathed his last at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar this evening, family sources said. He was admitted to the hospital after his health condition deteriorated.
A seven-time MLA, he represented Digapahandi in the present Assembly. Patro had won the Mohana Assembly seat for the first time in 1990. He also served the state as a Minister holding different portfolios.
He had stepped down from the post of Assembly Speaker in June, last year due to health reasons.
Leaders from different political parties and distinguished persons from different spheres rushed to the hospital to pay their last respects to late leader.
