Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Dr Debendra Pradhan passed away this morning at the age of 84 in New Delhi. Dr Pradhan is survived by his son Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan and his wife.

A life member of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Dr Pradhan joined BJP in 1980 as a Mandal president and was elected twice successively to the Lok Sabha from Deogarh parliamentary constituency in Odisha in 1998 and 1999. On his debut to the Lok Sabha, he became Union Minister of State for Surface Transport in the Atal Behari Vajpayee government in 1998.

He again served as Union Minister of State for Surface Transport and Agriculture from 1999 to 2001 in the Atal Behari Vajpayee government. Later, he was appointed as the national vice president of BJP in 2001.

Dr. Pradhan was popularly known for his medical profession, farming and social works. The last rites of the former Union Minister is likely to be carried out at SwargaDwar in Puri today.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi deeply condoling the death of Dr Pradhan has said that his contribution for the growth of BJP in Odisha will always be remembered.

Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram has said the passing away of Dr Pradhan is an irreparable loss to the BJP in Odisha and he will always be remembered as a popular leader of the common people.

Many other political leaders including BJD president Naveen Patnaik have deeply condoled the death of Dr Pradhan.