Naba Kisore Das, political heavyweight in western Odisha, leaves behind imprint in State politics

Known for his organisational and fundraising skills, he would be missed by BJD in 2024 election

Thousands of mourners paid their respects to former Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kisore Das, who was shot dead by a policeman on January 29, 2023, before his mortal remains were consigned to flames with full State honours in Jharsuguda district on January 30, 2023.

Before his body was flown to Jharsuguda, political leaders cutting across party lines, including Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, paid homage to the departed soul in Bhubaneswar. Ministers and MLAs had waited till midnight on the campus of the Odisha Legislative Assembly to be able to pay their last respects to the Minister on Sunday.

The demise of Das brought to an end the career of a successful politician, who rose through the ranks from student politics to State politics, leaving an imprint on each field.

Odisha CM publicly acknowledged it saying, “He was an asset for both the government and the party. He has successfully carried out many initiatives in the Health Department to the benefit of the people.”

“As a leader, he was instrumental in strengthening Biju Janata Dal [BJD].  He was a grassroots person and was loved and respected by all, cutting across parties and sections of people. His death is a great loss to the State of Odisha,” Mr. Patnaik said in message.

Born on January 7, 1962 in Sambalpur district, Das hailed from a family owning a transport business. However, Das developed a liking for politics. In 1983, he lost the student union election for the post of general secretary in Gangadhar Meher College, Sambalpur (now university). It did not dissuade him and he did not back out. For the next decade, the former Minister had controlled student politics in Sambalpur district by propping up candidates and financing them in student union elections.

His organisational skill had drawn attention of former Odisha CM late Janaki Ballav Patnaik. With the blessing of Patnaik, he started wielding enormous power even when there were established Congress leaders in western Odisha.