Pradeep Maharathy started his career as a student leader at SCS College in Puri.
Bhubaneswar:
Biju Janata Dal MP Pradeep Maharathy died in a private hospital in the early hours of Sunday, family sources say. He was 65 years old.
The seven-time deputy of Pipili in the district of Puri is survived by his wife Prativa, his son Rudra Pratap and his daughter Pallavi.
Pradeep Maharathy, who tested positive for COVID-19 on September 14, was released from hospital after his recovery but was admitted again as his condition became critical. He had been on life support since Friday.
The veteran politician began his career as a student leader at SCS College in Puri. He joined Janata Dal in 1985 and was elected to the Assembly in Pipili constituency.
He was arrested under MISA (Maintenance of Homeland Security Act) during the emergency. Popularly known as Natu Bhai, Pradeep Maharathy had won Pipili’s subsequent elections. He joined the BJD in 2000.
He was inducted into Cabinet Naveen Patnaik in 2011 and has held the portfolios of Agriculture, Fisheries, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water.
During her tenure as Minister of Agriculture, Odisha had received the Krishi Karman Prize for four consecutive years. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his deep sorrow over the disappearance of Pradeep Maharathy and described him as a “pillar” of the BJD and a longtime associate of Biju Patnaik.
“He was a true leader of the people. I express my deep sympathy to the bereaved family and the people of Pipili,” Patnaik said in a message of condolence.
Pradeep Maharathy’s body will be cremated with the full honor of the state, he said.
The Governor of Odisha, Ganeshi Lal, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Pratap Sarangi, as well as many State Ministers, have expressed their condolences on the disappearance of Pradeep Maharathy.
The Honorable Governor welcomes the sad passing of the Honorable Member of Parliament and Former Minister Pradeep Maharathy and expresses his deepest sympathy to the family and the bereaved voters. “He was a popular leader and a competent legislator, his untimely death is a great loss to politics,” added the governor. ????????
– Governor Odisha (@GovernorOdisha) October 4, 2020
“Pradeep Maharathy was a popular leader and a competent legislator, his untimely death is a great loss for the regime,” said the governor.
