Odisha CM cancels trip to pay last respects to friend & party worker

In an era where ambition and ego often take precedence over relationships, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has demonstrated a remarkable act of friendship. Prioritising personal connections, Majhi cancelled an urgent visit to Delhi yesterday. Instead, he travelled to Keonjhar to pay his last respects to Niranjan Satpathy, locally known as Nirubhai, who had been a dedicated party worker.

Outsiders would know Niranjan as a party worker and Mohan Majhi as the Chief Minister. But, they were friends. This bond, often likened to the legendary relationship of Krishna and Sudama. Since 2000, Niranjan acted as a tireless ally and support for Mohan Majhi, epitomising a familial tie that made his passing especially poignant for the Chief Minister, who visibly grieved the loss of such a close companion.

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Prioritising his personal connections over political commitments, the Chief Minister cancelled a significant visit to Delhi to travel to Keonjhar for Satpathy’s funeral. There, he paid his respects to the bereaved family and joined the funeral procession, honouring the deceased with floral tributes, conveying not only official condolences but a personal sense of loss.

“Even after becoming the Chief Minister, he was with me, doing everything including my office work. Be it 2 am or 3 am, he was always ready to help people. Despite being a common man, he was making himself available for others and a social worker,” said Chief Minister Mohan Majhi. 

Since 2000 when Mohan Majhi became an MLA and Ananta Nayak an MP, Niranjan had been staying at the party office on College road. He was always helping others but never demanded anything in return. He would run his family with whatever they gave him as per their wish.   

Last Sunday, he complained of chest pain and was going to Bhubaneswar on a bus for a medical check-up. But before he could reach Bhubaneswar, he suffered a cardiac arrest, leading to his death. 

The family members are under severe mental stress, thinking about how the family runs in his absence.

“He regarded the party office as a temple. He would forget his family and house. He would always oppose if anyone said anything about his Mohan bhai and Ananta bhai. Even the day before his death, he said to me that I didn’t have to bother if something happened to him and that his Mohan bhai and Ananta bhai would do everything,” said Sabita Satapathy, wife of Niranjan. 

“I know he (Chief Minister Mohan Majhi) would keep the promises he made to us,” said Kshirod Satapathy, Niranjan’s son.