Former Odisha Minister Ramakrushna Patnaik passes away

Bhubaneswar: Former Odisha Minister and veteran political leader Ramakrushna Patnaik passed away here today. He was 81.

Ramakrushna Patnaik breathed his last at 9.30 am at his residence in Bhubaneswar, informed his family source.

His body will be cremated at Swargadwar in Puri today.

Expressing deep grief over demise of the leader, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in his condolence message said, “Late Ramakrushna Patnaik was an eminent leader and administrator. Inspired by Biju Babu’s ideals, he devoted himself to public service. He has made significant contributions to the development of Ganjam district and Odisha.”

The former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader had joined the BJP in 2014. Earlier, he and his wife Kumudini Patnaik, the former MP from Aska, had joined the Congress.

The four-time legislator from Kodala Assembly Constituency in Ganjam district, Patnaik had handled important portfolios including Finance in his long stint as the minister.

The senior leader was a cabinet minister in the government led by Chief Minister Biju Patnaik from 1990 to 1995 during Janata Party regime. Later, he was inducted as the cabinet minister into team led by late Biju Patnaik’s son Naveen Patnaik in 2000.

He was sacked from the BJD allegedly for indiscipline and anti-party activities.

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