Former Odisha Assembly Speaker, Minister Maheswar Mohanty no more

Former Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly and Minister in Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's Cabinet, Maheswar Mohanty passed away at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. He was 67.

Mohanty had been under treatment at the hospital since a week after he suddenly fell ill on October 31.

While he was reportedly diagnosed with a mild brain stroke, his son Sunil Mohanty had denied any such ailments.

A lawyer by profession, Mohanty completed his LLB from Utkal University and MA in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University.

Mohanty served as the Speaker of the Odisha Assembly from 2004 till 2008.

He had won five times from Puri Assembly Constituency. Out of that, Mohanty won once on Janata Dal ticket and four consecutive times on a Biju Janata Dal (BJD) ticket.

Also known as the Vishwakarma of Odisha, Mohanty was associated with many non-political organisations as ex-officio member and president. He had also served as the Chairman of Puri Municipality.

As a leader, he had touched the lives of many people. Speaking to OTV, his neighbour in Puri, Mayadhar Moharana said, "I was shocked hearing the news about his demise. As a neighbour he had helped me a lot. He was the President of Chakhi Khuntia Committe and helped people in the Vishwakarma Mahasabha. He has set up so many schools, hospitals, roads and bridges that wherever you turn your eyes in the Puri Assembly Constituency, you will find plaques with Mohanty's name on them."

Condolences poured in from all corridors following his demise. Expressing his grief, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wrote, "I am saddened to know about the demise of former speaker, former MLA from Puri and senior leader of BJD, Maheshwar Mohanty. He had a reputation as a popular public leader and a skilled organizer. His contribution to the development of the state as a minister and MLA will always be remembered. His role in the development of Puri region in particular will immortalize him. As a speaker, he has contributed to a high democratic, parliamentary tradition in Odisha. His death is a great loss. May his soul rest in peace and my condolences to the bereaved family." 

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Vice President, Baijayant Panda took to X and wrote, "I am saddened to hear the news of the passing away of Mr. Maheshwar Mohanty, former speaker of Odisha Assembly, former minister and senior politician. May the bereaved soul rest in peace. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved family."  

Before his last rites, Mohanty's body was taken to the Odisha Assembly where he was accorded a guard of honour and political leaders across party lines offered their tributes. Speaking to OTV, BJD MLA Amar Satapathy said, "He (Maheswar Mohanty) was like a younger brother to me. He came to Odisha Assembly in 1995. He was a unique character. Despite sitting on the chairs of Cabinet Minister and Assembly Speaker, he used to roam around the streets of Puri on a scooter. Some rulings during his tenure as the Speaker have created history. I extend my condolences to the departed soul."  

His mortal remains were later taken to Puri and consigned to flames at Swargadwar amid a huge crowd of followers, supporters, and prominent leaders. His last rites were performed with state honours.

It is pertinent to mention here that Mohanty was shot by miscreants back on February 21, 2014 near Amala club in Puri when he was the Revenue Minister of Odisha. He had sustained bullet injuries on his hand and shoulder.