Sonia, Rahul, Mamata condole JB’s death

New Delhi, April 21:

Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday condoled the death of former Odisha chief minister Janaki Ballabh Patnaik.

In her message, Sonia Gandhi said Patnaik served as Odisha chief minister thrice, a union minister and as a governor.

She also said the late leader spent decades in the service of people and added that the former Odisha chief minister remained a Congressman till the end.

She said that his absence will be felt in the years to come.

Rahul Gandhi, in his message, said the veteran party leader served the people of the country with dedication.

“I extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones on his demise,” she said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also condoled the death of Janaki Ballabh Patnaik, saying he was always “generous” in giving her time to meet during her initial career phase.

“Saddened to hear JB Patnaik passed away. I knew him well. In my early career, whenever I visited Odisha, he was generous with his time. RIP,” Banerjee tweeted.

Patnaik, 89, died at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday. (IANS)