Bhubaneswar, Mar 17: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has expressed deep grief over the demise of former Union Minister Dr Debendra Pradhan.

Dr Pradhan, father of current Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, passed away Monday morning in New Delhi. He was 83.

In a condolence message, the CM Majhi stated that Dr Pradhan was a popular leader and a skilled parliamentarian. From 1999 to 2001, he efficiently served as the Union Minister for Transport and Agriculture.

Highlighting Dr Pradhan’s significant contributions to the development of the state, CM Majhi stated: “As a public representative and Member of Parliament, he carried out numerous welfare activities, earning the respect and admiration of the common people.”

“As the President of the State BJP, Dr Pradhan provided strong leadership and played a crucial role in the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Odisha. With a spirit of service and determination, he dedicated his entire life to the development of the state,” the statement says further.

The Odisha Chief Minister remarked that the nation and the state have lost a distinguished public servant with his passing.

Sympathising his son, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and other family members, the Chief Minister prayed for divine strength to help them endure this profound loss. He also conveyed his sympathies to the Union Education Minister over the phone and wished for the departed soul's eternal peace.

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