New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday sent condolence messages over the death of three-time Odisha chief minister and former Assam governor Janaki Ballabh Patnaik.
Patnaik died at a hospital in Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday. He was 89.
In his condolence message to Patnaik’s wife Jayanti, the president said: “I am sad to learn about the passing away of Shri J.B. Patnaik, a friend and colleague of long years.”
The prime minister, in his message, remembered Patnaik for his contribution to Odisha’s development.
“Shri Patnaik will be remembered as a pillar of Odisha politics, a popular leader always connected with people’s views and aspirations,” Modi said.
Patnaik, a veteran Congress leader, is survived by his wife, son Pruthvi Ballav Patnaik and two daughters — Sudatta Patnaik and Supriya Patnaik.
Known for his political acumen and skill in devising plans, J B Patnaik remained the focus of Odisha politics for over four decades.
Hailing from a humble background, Patnaik not only proved his abilities in politics by becoming a Union minister, three-time chief minister as well as Governor but also displayed his versatility by excelling in literature, journalism and culture. He was also a Sanskrit scholar.
Indoctrinated into politics soon after completing his education, Patnaik, who passed away at Tirupati today, was at the centre of political activities in the state even when Congress was out of power, though, his family had no links with politics.
The Congress stalwart became chief minister in 1980 and continued in office till 1989. He bounced back to power in 1995 and remained chief minister till 1999.
Patnaik’s period as chief minister was described as a ‘golden age’ by his loyalists who said the state made all round progress during 14 years of his rule.
He was, however, criticised for several scandals during his tenure, including the infamous Chhabirani murder case of mid 80s.
The Congress stalwart was the Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly from 2004 to 2009. He was appointed the Governor of Assam in 2009. Earlier, he had served as the Union minister.
People close to him recall that as Governor of Assam, Patnaik was instrumental for the entry of women into ‘Kirtan Ghar’ (Sanctum Sanctorum) of Patbausi Satra in Central Assam.
Besides his political career, Patnaik was an eminent littérateur and won many literary awards. He won the Central Sahitya Akademi for his Odia translation of Bankim Chandra’s novels titled ‘Bankim Chandra Upanyasmala’ in 2001 and Odisha Sahitya Akademi award for ‘Bairagya Shataka’, a translation of Bhartruhari’s celebrated Sanskrit work, in 1996.
Patnaik had translated the Mahabharata, the Ramayana and the Shrimad Bhagvat Gita into Odia. He also wrote books on Sindhu Upatyaka and Gautam Buddha.
