New Delhi: Former Union Minister Debendra Pradhan, father of current Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, has passed away. He was 84, and survived by his son Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union education minister.Pradhan, the former Odisha BJP president, breathed his last in New Delhi.Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said he was a popular public leader and an able parliamentarian.“He had discharged his duties as the Union Minister for Transport and Agriculture from 1999 to 2001 with efficiency. As a public representative and MP, he had become the object of the common people’s affection by doing many welfare works,” Majhi said.“He dedicated his entire life for the development of the state with a spirit of service and determination,” he added.Majhi said the country and the state lost a distinguished public servant.The CM also spoke to his son and expressed his condolences.Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Naveen Patnaik said Pradhan will be remembered for his unparalleled organisational skills and unwavering personality.“The state has lost an influential political figure and popular politician in the demise of Dr Pradhan,” he said. Devendra Pradhan’s political career was deeply intertwined with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the party’s expansion in Odisha. He was a prominent leader in the state who played a crucial role in establishing the party’s foundation and strengthening its organisation.During his political career, Devendra Pradhan was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) from Odisha. He first won the Lok Sabha seat from Angul in 1981 and later contested elections from various other constituencies at different times. His tenure in Parliament earned him national recognition, and he also held ministerial responsibilities in the Government of India. In 1989, he served as a cabinet minister in the Vishwanath Pratap Singh-led Janata Dal government, where he was entrusted with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.Pradhan played a significant role in the early days of the BJP in Odisha, as the party was establishing its identity in the state. He actively strengthened the party’s organisational structure from the grassroots to the state level. His leadership and dedication became an inspiration for other party members, a legacy that continues to influence his son, Dharmendra Pradhan, who has emerged as a key BJP leader and is regarded as his political successor.Beyond politics, Devendra Pradhan was widely respected for his social and organisational skills. He maintained a direct connection with the public and was always proactive in addressing their concerns. His contributions played a pivotal role in BJP’s progress in Odisha, leaving a lasting impact on the state’s political landscape.
