Bhubaneswar: The last rites of former Odisha chief minister and octogenarian Congress leader Janaki Ballabh Patnaik were performed at Swargadwar in Puri today evening.
His son Pruthvi Ballabh Patnaik lit the funeral pyre of the late leader. Political leaders cutting across party lines and supporters of the departed leader were present besides his family members, relatives during the last rites.
Odisha Police also gave a guard of honour to the late leader at Swargadwar.
Earlier in the day, the departed leader’s funeral procession began from his residence and then proceeded to Congress Bhavan, where he was given floral tribute and full honour. The cortege then reached Vidhan Sabha. A guard of honour was given to him inside the Vidhan Sabha premises. Patnaik’s funeral procession went his native village Rameswar in Khurda district.
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad arrived in Bhubaneswar to pay his last respect to the departed soul. He carried a message of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi. He was also present during the funeral.