Bhubaneswar, Oct 11: Veteran leader and former MLA Niranjan Pradhan passed away on Thursday night at the age of 65, following a prolonged illness.
The former BJP leader breathed his last at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar.
Pradhan's political journey began in 1979, inspired by former minister Ramakrushna Patnaik. He made his mark by winning the sarpanch election in Ghodapalan in 1980. He later served as the Block Chairman of Polsara from 1990 to 1993, further cementing his reputation as a grassroots leader.
He was elected to the State Assembly in 2004 and 2009 on a BJD ticket, representing the Kodala and Polsara constituencies, respectively. Despite his successful tenure, Pradhan joined the BJP following his denial of a BJD ticket in 2019.
Today, his mortal remains will be taken to the State Assembly, where leaders from across party lines will gather to pay their last respects, honoring a man whose life was dedicated to public service.
