By D N Singh
Undeniably, Surya Narayan Patro’s untimely demise has created a big void in Odisha politics. Patro having his original allegiance to legendary Biju Patnaik, had down the years carved a niche as a crafty and capable politician and accomplished all the assignments given to him.
Subsequently, he retained his maintained his loyalty to the Biju legacy and proved to be an able and ardent soldier in Naveen Patnaik’s Biju Janata Dal and later gained a reputation as a leader who stood by Naveen Patnaik as a rock pillar at the time of crisis the regime encountered in its over two decades long tenure.
Along with other seniors like Prafulla Ghadai or Damodar Rout, Patro remained a seasoned senior leader till the last days.
He was a man of letters and always had his feet on the ground regardless of the positions he held.
Patra, a degree holder in LLB and by profession an advocate, started his political career as a councillor in Berhampur municipality.
He was elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly from Mohana constituency as a Janata Dal candidate in 1990 and also in 1995 and as Biju Janata Dal candidate during 2000 and 2004 elections.
In the 2009 Assembly election ,he was shifted to Digapahandi assembly seat and won the seat thrice during 2009, 2014 and 2019 Assembly elections.
He served as Odisha Assembly Speaker from 1.6.2019 to 4.6.2022 and prior to that had held several portfolios both in the Biju Patnaik and Naveen Patnaik cabinets.
He has served as minister in Forest, Energy,Science and Technology,Tourism,Information technology, Culture,Revenue and Disaster Management and Information and Public Relations,Cooperation and Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has expressed his deep condolence on the demise of Patra.
Patnaik described Patra as a strong administrator and a goof organizer who had accelerated the developmental process of the state while holding various portfolios and played a vital role in maintaining the dignity of the Odisha legislative Assembly as a Speaker.
Being a senior and veteran leader of Biju Janata Dal, the Chief Minister said Patra had given a new direction to the party and played an important role in strengthening the party base in Ganjam district.
Patnaik said his demise had caused a big vacuum in the Odisha politics and conveyed his grief to the bereaved family members.
with agency inputs
