Former Odisha MP Pyarimohan Mohapatra passes away at 77

Former Rajya Sabha MP and ‘Chanakya’ of BJD Pyari Mohan Mohapatra passed away today in Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai at 9.40 pm while undergoing treatment for lung cancer. He was 77.

Pyari was undergoing treatment at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai since last six months and later shifted to Hinduja Hospital as his health condition has turned more critical. He was put on life support system.

Pyari Mohan is survived by his wife Pratibha, two daughters and a son. The mortal remains of the great political figure will arrive in Bhubaneswar on Monday.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan, Odisha BJP President Basant Panda, Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda and PCC President Prasad Harichandan condoled the sad demise of Pyari Mohan Mohapatra.

It is to be noted that Odisha’s most powerful bureaucrat-turned-politician was suspended from the Biju Janata Dal, following an alleged coup attempt against Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in June 2012.

Mohapatra formed his independent party, Odisha Jana Morcha (OJM) on 10 April 2013 and served as an MP in Rajya Sabha where his term ended on July 1, 2016.

The former bureaucrat started his career as an IAS officer and was principal secretary to Biju Patnaik. He was considered as the mastermind of the Biju Janata Dal.