Bhubaneswar: Veteran Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and Odisha’s longest-serving legislator, V Sugnana Kumari Deo, passed away late on Friday night at a private hospital in Chennai, aged 87. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik visited the hospital to inquire about her health, and she breathed her last around 1 am.
Belonging to the royal family of Khallikote, Sugnana Kumari was the daughter-in-law of Rama Chandra Mardaraj Deo, the erstwhile king of the princely estate. She served as a 10-time member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly but never accepted ministerial positions, stating that “a queen never becomes a minister.”
Initially elected as a Congress candidate in 1963 from Khallikote, Sugnana later joined the Utkal Congress and subsequently contested under various party banners, including Congress and Janata Party. She won consistently from 1985 till 2014, representing Khallikote and later Kabisuryanagar on the BJD ticket.
Born in Chennai on August 5, 1937, to King RVM Neeladi Deo, Sugnana excelled academically, earning an MA in Social Work from Madras University.
Condolences poured in from various quarters following her demise. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik hailed her as a prominent politician and expressed deep sorrow over her passing. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also mourned her loss, highlighting her significant contribution to Odisha’s political landscape.
Sugnana Kumari Deo’s demise marks the end of an era in Odisha’s political history. Her steadfast commitment to public service and her refusal to be swayed by ministerial positions define her legacy as a principled leader devoted to the welfare of her constituents. Her passing leaves a void in the political landscape of Odisha, with leaders across party lines acknowledging her enduring impact on the state.
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