By D N Singh
Ram Krushna Patnaik, otherwise popularly known as the ‘ Ganjam Tiger’, in his demise has surely left a huge void in Odisha politics. An irreparable loss to the gamut of politics and commitment.
A known legislature of consequence Ram Krushna Patnaik has left indelible footprints in the legislative discourses all through his career and refused a space for his detractors. Having a command over languages, both Odia and English, his constructive political narratives had remained the points of debates more often than not.
Groomed in politics by none other than by the legendary leader late Biju Patnaik, Ram Krushna had an unique approach to his style of deliberations in and outside the legislative spheres.
A charismatic orator in several subjects, he staged himself up in the field of finance setting new parameters as a Finance Minister of Odisha. His hold over the subjects and his uncompromising convictions often made him to a stand-off situation with his political mentor, Biju Patnaik. But he had his way through wading through the maze of criticisms and tirades from the rivals.
He was elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly from Kodala, Odisha in the 1977, 1980, 1995 and 2000 as a member of the Janata Party, Janata Dal and Biju Janata Dal.
He was Leaders of Opposition in Odisha Legislative Assembly from 1996 to 1997.
A six-time legislator from the Kodala Assembly constituency in Ganjam district, Patnaik had handled important portfolios as a minister, including finance. He was the Leader of Opposition in Odisha Legislative Assembly from 1996 to 1997.
The senior leader was a minister in former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik’s Cabinet from 1990 to 1995 before he joined the Naveen Patnaik ministry in 2000.
In 2002, he quit the BJD following differences with party president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and joined the Congress. Popularly known as “Ganjam Tiger”, Pattnaik and his wife quit the ‘Hand’ party in the run-up to the 2014 elections and joined the BJP. Pattnaik, his wife and daughter Anita had joined the BJP in March 2014. His wife was also a former MP from Aska.
