BJD veteran, former minister and Assembly Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro dies at 75

A former minister and ex-Speaker of the Odisha Assembly, Patro won the last election from Digapahandi Assembly constituency. Elected to the Assembly for the first time in 1990 from the Mohana constituency, Patro won seven successive elections as a legislator — four times from Mohana and thrice from Digapahandi seat after the 2009 delimitation.

An influential name in Odisha politics, especially in the political landscape of Ganjam, the most populous district, Patro had served as a minister under the chief ministership of both Biju Patnaik and his son Naveen Patnaik.

In his first term as an MLA, Patro was appointed as a minister of state in the Biju Patnaik Cabinet for seven months from July 1990 to January 1991. He returned to the Cabinet in 2002, two years after Naveen Patnaik assumed charge as CM and served as a Cabinet minister till 2014.

Though Patro did not get a ministerial berth when Naveen assumed charge for the fourth time in 2014, he was inducted into the Cabinet in May 2017. When Naveen was elected for the fifth time in 2019, Patro was made the Speaker of the Assembly, where he had served till June 2022.

One of the longest-serving ministers in the BJD’s 23-year regime, Patro effectively handled key portfolios like energy, tourism, revenue and disaster management, food supplies, co-operation and information and public relations. He also proved his mettle as the Speaker by undertaking several reforms such as introduction of paperless Assembly.

A native of Berhampur, Patro, fondly known as “Anna” among his followers, was active in politics since his students’ days.

An advocate by profession, Patro started his career in mainstream politics after he was elected as a councillor in Berhampur municipality in 1977. A foodie and a movie-freak, Patro had friends across the political spectrum, which subsequently helped him in effective handling of Assembly sessions whenever there was a deadlock.

Patro was deeply committed towards the people in his constituency and hardly missed any social function. He used to write postcards to his voters.

CM Naveen condoled Patro’s death and described him as an able administrator and a strong organiser. He hailed Patro’s contribution as a minister and as well As the Speaker.

Leaders cutting across party lines condoled Patro’s death.