Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the death of three-time Odisha chief minister and former Assam governor Janaki Ballabh Patnaik, saying he would be remembered as a "pillar of Odisha politics".
Patnaik, 89, passed away at a private hospital in Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday at 3 a.m.
"Shri J.B. Patnaik's contribution to Odisha's development will always be remembered. Saddened on his demise. Condolences to his family," Modi said in a statement.
"Shri Patnaik will be remembered as a pillar of Odisha politics, a popular leader always connected with people's views and aspirations," he added.