Former Odisha Assembly Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro Passes Away at 74

Bhubaneswar: Surjya Narayan Patro, a prominent leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and former Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, passed away at the age of 74. He breathed his last in a private hospital in the evening, around 7:30 PM yesterday.

Patro had been admitted to the hospital a few hours before his demise, suffering from age-related health complications. Unfortunately, he did not respond to treatment and succumbed to his condition.

Throughout his political career, Surjya Narayan Patro was elected as a legislator from the Mohana Assembly constituency four times and from Digapahandi three times. He initially secured the Mohana MLA seat in 1990 and went on to serve the state in various ministerial roles. Last year, due to declining health, he resigned from his position as Speaker.

Born on December 24, 1948, in Berhampur, Ganjam district, Surjya Narayan Patro held a BSc degree and later pursued LLB. Prior to entering politics, he was actively involved in social service and became a Councillor in 1977.

The news of Surjya Narayan Patro’s passing cast a pall of sadness over the state. Leaders from different political parties and prominent individuals extended their condolences to his family and the BJD party.