Janaki Ballabh Patnaik

Janaki Ballabh Patnaik Biography

Janaki Ballabh Patnaik was a prominent political figure from the state of Odisha. He has served as the chief minister of the state for three occasions - 9 June 1980 – 7 December 1989, and 15 March 1995 – 17 February 1999, representing INC. Thus he earlier held the record of the post for the longest time on record before Naveen Patnaik. The construction of New Jagannath Sadak is one of his major contributions towards Odisha tourism. While serving his third term as CM, he was forced to leave the chair in 1999 for his involvement in the infamous Anjana Mishra rape case. The party president Sonia Gandhi replaced the Chief Minister by Giridhar Gamang, and it also tarnished his image in politics.

Janaki Ballabh Patnaik was born on 3 January 1927 in Rameshwar of Puri district of present day Odisha state. He did his schooling from Khurda High School, and also completed his BA and MA degrees. During his college days, he was involved with politics, affiliated to Indian National Congress, and soon after the completion of his PG in 1949, he turned more active in politics. In 1950, he became the President of the Odisha state unit of the youth wing of the Congress. He rose to prominence in the 1970s, and assumed power as Chief Minister of Odisha on 9 June 1980. He continued in power for almost two terms till 1989.

He was also involved with national level politics, and has served as Union Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation and Labour in 1980. He came to power for the second time in 1995. Apart from a politician and man of controversies, he has also translated the Mahabharata, the Ramayana and the Bhagavad Gita into Oriya language. His wife Jayanti Patnaik is also a well-known politician.

Published: July 28, 2018

Updated: July 28, 2018