By Surya Narayan Misra*

With the sad demise of Janaki Ballav Patnaik on the auspicious day of ‘Akshsya Trutiya’ (21 April 2015), an era in ‘Odisha Politics’ was over.

Born in 1927 with a humble back ground, JB graduated with Sanskrit Honors from the Revenshaw College in 1947 and procured a post – Graduate Degree in Political Science from BHU, Varanasi. Journalism became his career choice in which he excelled beyond imagination. His second hobby was politics which gave him many accolades as head of youth wing of Congress and later member of powerful CWC and on many occasions as the president of OPCC.

He was Editor of the Prajatantra and The Eastern Times. Later he indoctrinated himself into the field of literature, translation and scholarly writings in his brain product ‘The Paurusha’. JB entered into active politics in 1967 and was elected to Lok Sabha from the prestigious Cuttack seat in 1971. A Nehru – Gandhi loyalist, JB started his ministerial career in 1973 from Deputy Minister then Minister of state and later Union Cabinet Minister all under Indira Gandhi.

After the ‘Janata Experiment’ failed in 1979, JB revived Congress in Odisha and put a brave challenge to Biju Patnaik and thus Odisha experienced ‘Patnaik Era’ since 1980 till dates. JB consumed 14 years as CM and the junior Patnaik ( Navin) shared 15 years whereas the legendary Biju Patnaik could remain in power for only five years.

With his passing away, two- third of Patnaik era has gone and the way people of Odisha paid tribute to the departed soul, he became a legend after his death unlike the senior Patnaik who was a legend during his life time.

Late JB was a true human being. Many misplaced his silence as his demerit and calculated it in negative terms, but he was a gentleman in politics and slowly proved his five decade of political sojourn as the fair playing ground. A three timer chief minister under different central leaders and dispensation JB had tried to put Odisha at the right spot in the national geography.

JB was not an adventurist or extrovert like his co-contestant senior [Biju] Patnaik but his media connections gave him the true picture of Odisha’s concern and challenge. By providing political stability to the state known for unstable past, JB’s primary concern was growth and development. The slogan ‘Thousand Industries, Thousand Crores and Thousand Days’ might have been misjudged by his detractors but though this he could provide both dream and hope to Odias who entered into investment era.

It is rightly said that Odisha is rich, but Odias are poor’ and JB wanted to turn the wheel of richness though planned agricultural and industrial development. He gave Hotel and Tourism industry status, developed the areas of religious interest, expanded women education, established Sanskrit University and Hundi for self development of Jagannath Cult and conducted 1996 ‘Nabakalebar’ with dignity and precision.

A devout Sanskrit scholar and a restless translator, JB – when remained on sabbatical from politics, engrossed himself in scholarly pursuits. This is a rare character in politicians and he brought many honours for himself in this pursuit which was much better than what he achieved in politics.

JB is known for his soft spoken, patience and analytical frame of mind. He is now more loved by people of Assam as no other governor of their state had done so much for society, culture and education as JB had done during 2009-14.

History will remember him for his success in politics, literature and humanitarian approach. His tenure as chief minister is really a true phase of all round development of the state – agriculture, irrigation, communication, education, power sector and tourism.

He was unchallenged leader in Odisha congress and was above all factions. With his death, the ‘Era of Congressman’ is over and only the ‘period of Congress members’ will continue.

[Prof. Surya Narayan Misra retired as Head of Political Science Department of Utkal University. Presently, Prof. Mishra is Adjunct Professor at KIIT School of Law, Bhubaneswar]