Bhubaneswar, September 2: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA and former Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker, Surjya Narayan Patro passed away at a private hospital here on Saturday evening.
He was 75.
As per reports, Patro was admitted to the hospital this afternoon today after his health deteriorated.
A seven-time legislator, he was a sitting MLA of ruling BJD representing Digapahandi Assembly Constituency in Ganjam district.
Born on December 24, 1948 in Ganjam district, Patro started his career as journalist and then practiced as lawyer in Berhmapur.
He entered the Odisha Legislative Assembly 1990 and became a Minister of State in the Biju Patnaik’s Council of Ministers with Forest, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry portfolios.
He was inducted into Naveen Patnaik’s Cabinet on August 6, 2002 and got the Energy portfolio. Later, he went on to get departments in Science and Technology, Environment, Tourism, Information Technology, Information and Public Relations; Culture, Cooperation and Food Supplies.
He became Speaker of Odisha Legislative Assembly on January 6, 2019 and continued in the same position till June 6, 2022 when he stepped down due to ill health.
Governor Professor Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, senior BJD leader Prafulla Ghadai, senior BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra and many others condoled the death of Patro.
