Interview Times 
BHUBANESWAR: Niranjan Pradhan, former MLA and prominent BJP leader, passed away on Thursday night after a prolonged illness at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar. He was 65.
Pradhan’s death has cast a pall of mourning over the political landscape of Odisha. Known for his significant contributions to the state’s political scene, he was first elected to the Odisha State Assembly in 2004 and again in 2009, both times on a Biju Janata Dal (BJD) ticket. However, after being denied a ticket for the 2019 elections, Pradhan made a notable shift, leaving the BJD to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Today, his mortal remains will be taken to the State Assembly, where political leaders across party lines and ministers will gather to pay their final respects.
Pradhan’s political career began in 1979, inspired by former minister Ramakrushna Patnaik. His first major role was as the sarpanch of Ghodapalan in 1980. From 1990 to 1993, he served as the Chairman of the Polsara Block, further solidifying his local leadership.
His rise in state politics was marked by his success in the 2004 elections, where he was elected as an MLA from the Kodala constituency. Five years later, he repeated his electoral success, this time representing Polsara in the State Assembly.
Niranjan Pradhan leaves behind a legacy of dedicated service and leadership that will be remembered in Odisha’s political history.
