Bhubaneswar: The mortal remains of Congress’ firebrand leader Lalatendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra (Lulu), who breathed his last at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, New Delhi last night due to multiple organ failure, arrived here on Monday afternoon. The body will be taken to his native place Gada Rodanga in Puri district tomorrow for cremation.
A sea of crowd had gathered in front of the Biju Patnaik International Airport here to pay last respect to the departed soul. As the coffin carrying body of the three-time Brahmagiri MLA was taken out of the airport, after it arrived in a special flight from New Delhi, “Lulu Bhai amar rahe” filled the air for a long time. Amid sloganeering, everybody wanted to have a glimpse of the body as is was taken to his government quarter.
Family sources said, the body will be kept at his residence for public to pay their last respects.
On Tuesday morning it will be taken to the State Assembly and then to the Congress Bhawan from where the body will be moved to Gada Rodanga in a procession for last rites.
A pall of gloom has descended at his native place where villagers gathered to mourn the son of the soil.
“With his death Bramhagiri is now leaderless. In the years to come it is impossible to get a brotherly figure like him. He will be remembered for ever,” said Biswambar Nath, a native of Gada Rodanga.
“Irrespective of party, he was talking to all, whenever he comes to village. It is surely an irreparable loss to the village and the constituency. On politics front, I have personally learnt a lot from him. He was always discussing with us how to develop the region,” said Narayan Sahu, a villager.
“He is in our hearts and will be forever,” an inconsolable Sahu stated.
The three-time Congress MLA represented Brahmagiri assembly segment in a row from 1995 to 2009 and was executive president of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC). A man of aggression, Lulu's name often did the rounds for OPCC president job. He was a front runner when incumbent Prasad Harichandan took over in 2014. He was currently OPCC coordinate committee member.
A graduate in history and political science from BJB College, Lulu rose the ladder from student politics. He enjoyed the support of youth and student Congress cadres throughout his political career, which was considered his biggest political asset till his death. His supporters had formed 'Lulu Sena' who worked for any cause he took up. He was extremely vocal against and critical of Naveen Patnaik government regime.