Odisha’s first BJP MLA Prasanna Kumar Patanayak passes away
Published By : Sourav Das
| May 30, 2025 9:45 AM
Bhubaneswar, May 30: Odisha’s first-ever Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA and veteran leader Prasanna Kumar Patanayak passed away on Friday. He was 74.
According to reports, Patanayak had been sick for a long time and was receiving treatment. His condition got worse yesterday, and he was taken to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar, where he passed away this morning.
His final rites will be held at Swargadwar in Puri.
It is worth mentioning that Patanayak, a three-time lawmaker from Kamakhyanagar in Dhenkanal district, made history in Odisha politics by becoming the first BJP candidate to be elected to the State Assembly, creating an important milestone for the party in the state.
During his time in office, he helped set up several higher education institutions, including Kamakhyanagar Women’s College, Birashaala Regional College, and Bhuban Women’s College, along with over 15 other institutions.
He served as an MLA with different political parties—first with the Janata Party (1977–1980), then with the BJP (1985–1990), and later with the Janata Dal (1990–1995).
