FORMER ODISHA MINISTER BIBHUTI BHUSHAN SINGH MARDARAJ PASSES AWAY
Former Odisha minister and ex-Deputy Speaker of Odisha Legislative Assembly, Bibhuti Bhushan Singh Mardaraj passed away at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar early Thursday morning after prolonged illness.
He was 70 and is survived by his wife Rani Devaki Devi Kumari, son Mr. Siddharth Shekhar Singh, also a former MLA, and daughter Rajkumari Aradhana.
A member of the Khandapada dynasty, he was the son of Harihar Singh Mardaraj Bhramarbar Rai, the last ruler of the princely state before its merger with the Odisha state on January 1, 1948. Harihar Singh Mardaraj also served as a minister in the Biju Patnaik-led Congress cabinet in 1961.
Odisha chief minister Mr. Mohan Charan Majhi expressed his grief over the demise of Singh Mardaraj. “I am deeply saddened to learn about the demise of former minister and former deputy speaker of Odisha Assembly, Shri Bibhuti Bhushan Singh Mardaraj. I pray to Lord Shri Jagannath for the eternal peace of the departed soul and extend my condolences to the family members. Om Shanti,” Mr. Majhi said in an X post.
Union minister for education Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan condoled the passing away of the veteran Congress leader. BJP national Vice-President and MP Mr. Baijayant Panda, BJD MP Mr. Manas Mangaraj and Odisha Pradesh Congress chief Mr. Bhakta Charan Das also expressed their grief over Singh Mardaraj’s demise through tweet.
Born on January 4, 1955, Bibhuti Bhushan Singh Mardaraj studied at the B.J.B. College, Bhubaneswar. He emerged as a prominent student leader during his college days and got elected to the Odisha Assembly for the first time in 1980 as an independent candidate from Khandapada constituency. He subsequently joined the ruling Congress (I). He also served as the President of the Puri District Youth Congress between 1981-84.
He got elected to the assembly twice thereafter in 1985 and 1995 as a Congress candidate. He served as Minister of State (Independent Charge) holding the department of Tourism and Culture, Planning and Coordination in the Hemananda Biswal ministry in 1989.
Singh Mardaraj was chosen the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly in 1996 and continued in the post for four years.
His interests included photography, music and cricket. He was a life member of the Cricket Association of Bengal.
Amiable and soft-spoken, Singh Mardaraj was popular in political circles. An avid sportsman, music aficionado and philanthropist, he was Vice-President of Chinmaya Mission, life member of the Bhubaneswar Plant Lovers’ Association and member of Bhubaneswar Club. He has also compiled the history of Khandapada state in English.
His mortal remains were taken to the state assembly on Thursday morning where the Speaker Ms. Surama Padhi, Deputy Speaker Mr. Narasingha Bhoi, Deputy Chief Minister Ms. Pravati Parida, minister for health and family welfare and parliamentary affairs Mr. Mukesh Mahaling, minister for fisheries and animal resources development Mr. Gokulananda Mallick, BJD MLA Mr. Ananta Prasad Jena and BJD Vice-President and former minister Mr. Debi Mishra, among others, were present and offered floral tributes. A large number of political leaders and social workers also visited his residence to pay their respects. The mortal remains of the departed leader were later taken to Khandapada for the last rites.