Veteran BJD leader and ex-Minister Kalindi Behera passes away

By Subrat Maharana

18Feb,Bhubaneswar

Veteran Biju Janata Dal leader and former Minister Kalindi Charnan Behra died Wednesday at the age of 71.
Behera was suffering from kidney problem ,septicemia and died of multi organ failure around 7.30 AM at a private Hospital , Bhubaneswar. For quite some time he was ailing. .Behera is survived by two sons and two daughters.
The Odisha Assembly, now in session, condoled the sad demise of its five time member.
The Governor of Odisha SC Jamir , Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik,Leader of Oppostiion Narasingha Mishra , BJP floor leader Basanta Kumar Panda , the members of the Council of Ministers and leaders cutting across party line condoled the death of Behera and described him as a popular leader and social activist.
His cremation would be taken place at his native village , Natasahi in Salepur .
Behera , a five times MLA was first elected to Odisha Assembly as a Janata Party candidate from Salepur constituency in 1977. Later he also returned to the Odisha assembly from Salepur seat as Janata Dal candidate in 1990 and as BJD candidate in 2000 and 2004.
In 2009, he was fielded by the party from the Cuttack Sadar constituency while his son Chandrasarathi was given the ticket for his old constituency.However, he was denied ticket in the 2014 Assembly election on the ground of old age.
Behera , who also served the BJD organization as its vice-president ,had held several important portfolios in the council of ministers, first under the late Biju Patnaik and then under his son Naveen Patnaik.
Behera, a close associate of legendary leader late Biju Patnaik , was a professor before taking the plunge into politics
He was also a writer of repute and took a keen interest in socio-cultural affairs. Kalindi Behera’s literary works included, Debakanya, Tatini Tata Sahar (Novel), Jeevan Jali Jai, Mayabi Krushna, Shakati Parikshya, Bisa Ahuti, Agni Tapasya, Natak Sanchayan, Semananka Samparka Re, Mlana Sarbari (Dramas), Akankika Sangraha and Oriya Natak ‘O’ Samalochana (Criticism).