By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR/PURI/PIPILI: Pipili Assembly segment of Puri in Odisha always hits headlines for wrong reasons. May it be political conflict , land dispute, stone or sand mining. Since the emergence of Pradeep Maharathy, it has been always in the hands of non-Congress politics and Maharathy has been successfully winning since 1985 and with his sudden demise, BJD may gain sympathy for sometimes now but for long term, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik may find it difficult to further consolidate his party base without Maharathy’s presence.
Roads connecting Bhubaneswar to Puri via Pipili on Sunday looked jam-packed even despite COVID-19 fear , reason was Nattu Maharathy as he fondly called by his villagers and the Maharathy of Odisha Politics, Pradeep Maharathy, took his last breath in the wee hours of the day. Late Maharathy’s daughter Pallavi couldn’t control herself at Puri’s Swargadwar, which created a very emotional atmosphere.
The Odisha Legislative Assembly was adjourned for the day on Sunday, as a mark of respect to deceased ruling BJD MLA and former Minister Maharathy. Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro adjourned the proceedings after the House made obituary references on the Pipili MLA.”The House will remain adjourned till 10.30 am on Monday as a mark of respect to the departed member from Pipili,” Speaker Patro said.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, after officially informing the House about Maharathy”s demise, said the BJD leader was elected to the Assembly seven times from Pipili between 1985 and 2019. He also held the agriculture portfolio thrice in his political career spanning almost 40 years.”Maharathy expired in the early hours of 4 October, 2020. The death of the ex-Minister of this August House is an irreparable loss to the state and the members of his family,” the Chief Minister said.
Meanwhile, Maharathy’s mortal remains were consigned to flames at Swargadwar in Puri with full State Honor. His son Rudra Pratap Maharathy lit the funeral pyre in presence of his daughter Pallvi, family members and BJD supporters.
Earlier, Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Patnaik and Union PNG-Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday led the condolences in memory of late political heavyweight and BJD veteran, Pradeep Maharathy, a 7th times Pipili MLA and former Minister, who took his last breath in the wee hours of the day at IMS-SUM Hospital in State Capital. He was 65.Born on 4 July, 1955 at village Khorapada in Pipili.
Hon’ble Governor condoles the sad demise of Hon’ble MLA Ex Minister Pradeep Maharathy and conveys his deep sympathy to the bereaved family and constituents. “He was a popular leader & able legislator, his untimely death is a big loss to the polity”, the Governor added.
Chief Minister Patnaik has expressed deep grief at the passing away of veteran leader Mr.Maharathy .The Chief Minister has described him as a stalwart of BIju Janata Dal and a long time associate of Biju Babu .Known for his exceptional organisation capacity he had won from pipili consecutively for 7 the time .He was a true leader of people, said Chief Minister. Chief Minister conveyed his deep sympathy to the bereaved family and the people of pipili .
“In 1985 Elections, we both together for the very first time got elected to the Assembly and he has been a very close associate since then. By nature a truly jovial person, he lived life in a very optimistic way and it was always a great delight to interact with him and have his company.
To know that Pradeep Maharathy is no more is deeply disturbing. A Seven-time MLA & Former Minister and someone who also played a very crucial role in the formation of BJD, his passing away is a big loss for the State Politics and on a personal level I have lost a very good friend. There are few leaders who being in politics and power for so long remain so firmly associated with their roots and he was one amongst them.I join everyone in paying condolences to the departed soul.Rest in Peace Pradeep !!!,” former Union Minister Dilip Ray wrote.
Besides, BJP National VP Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda, former Union Minister Dilip Ray, BJP veteran Bijay Mohapatra, former Minister Damodar Rout, Minister Raja Swain, BJD Rajya Sabha MP, Dr Sasmit Patra, BJP Rajya Sabha MP, Ashwini Vaishnab and others condole the death of Maharathy.
