Eminent freedom fighter and three-time former Rajya Sabha member Padma Shri Bhabani Charan Pattnaik passed away at the Capital Hospital here on Thursday evening. He was 98 and is survived by two sons and three daughters.
His body was taken to his residence at Ashok Nagar here for people to pay him their last respects.
Before cremation, Pattnaik’s body would be taken to the SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack on Friday for donation of his limbs as per the wish he had expressed a few days back.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed deep grief over his demise. He described late Pattnaik as a great patriot. A strong believer of Gandhian principles, he was a close associate of Bijubabu. A man of indomitable spirit Bhabanibabu was very active till his death, the CM said.
Pattnaik was elected to Rajya Sabha in 1961, 1966 and 1978.