Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati Visits Dharmendra Pradhan's Residence to Offer Condolences

Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati visited Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's home on Tuesday. He expressed his condolences for the passing of Pradhan's father, Debendra Pradhan, a veteran BJP leader. The governor was joined by his wife, Jayashree Kambhampati, during this visit.

Debendra Pradhan, a seasoned politician and former Union Minister, passed away in Delhi on Monday. Governor Kambhampati was not in Odisha when the news of Debendra Pradhan's death emerged. Upon his return from a tour, he promptly went to Dharmendra Pradhan's residence to offer his sympathies personally, according to an official release.

Governor's Tribute to Debendra Pradhan

The governor shared fond memories of Debendra Pradhan, highlighting their long-standing association. "Debendra Pradhan was a man dedicated to his ideology and spent his life fighting for the people's cause. I first met him during 1991-92 when he was the president of the Odisha BJP. At that time, L K Advani ji and Murli Manohar Joshi ji were leading separate yatras. We accompanied them to the Andhra Pradesh border, where we handed over the yatras to Debendra Pradhan," Kambhampati said.

Kambhampati further reminisced about meeting Debendra Pradhan when he served as the Union Minister of State for Agriculture in Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government. "He was a staunch supporter of nationalism and remained committed to his ideology throughout his life. He always stood for the people and their issues," he added.

Personal and Professional Bonds

The visit by Governor Kambhampati was not just a formal gesture but also a reflection of the deep personal and professional connections he shared with Debendra Pradhan over the years. This visit underscored the respect and solidarity between them, as noted in the official release.

After completing his father's funeral rituals at Swargadwar in Puri, Dharmendra Pradhan returned to the city. The governor's visit followed soon after, marking a moment of shared grief and mutual respect between two prominent figures in Indian politics.