Bhubaneswar: Veteran politician and former Union Minister Kanhu Charan Lenka passed away at a private hospital here on Friday morning. He was 87.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik expressed deep sorrow and offered condolences to the bereaved family. The Chief Minister said he felt extremely saddened by the passing of Lenka. He prayed to Lord Jagannath for peace to the departed soul and extended heartfelt sympathy to the grieving family.
The Leader of Opposition described Lenka as a distinguished politician whose long public life was dedicated to service and development. He noted that Lenka’s contributions would always remain memorable and conveyed his condolences to the family while praying for the eternal peace of the departed soul.
Lenka was a prominent political figure in Odisha and played a significant role in state and national politics over several decades. A political disciple of Pradyumna Bal, distinguished Odia journalist, politician, and social reformer who founded the prominent Odia daily newspaper Pragativadi, Lenka began his public life with strong grassroots engagement. He was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Choudwar constituency and later served as the Industry Minister in the Odisha government.
At the national level, Lenka was elected to the Rajya Sabha, where he represented Odisha and contributed to parliamentary debates and policy discussions. He also served as Minister of State for Railways in the Union government, playing a role in infrastructure and connectivity initiatives.
Throughout his career, Lenka was known for his administrative experience and commitment to public service. Lenka’s long political journey reflected his deep involvement in Odisha’s development and governance. Colleagues across party lines have acknowledged his contribution to public life and his role in mentoring younger leaders. His passing marks the end of an era in Odisha politics.
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