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Ex-Chief Minister of Odisha, Janaki Ballabh Patnaik passed away in Tirupati during early hours of Tuesday. The veteran congress leader was in Tirupati to attend the convocation ceremony of the Rashtriya Sanskrit University. He was admitted in a hospital around mid-night following a chest pain, but could not be saved, his family said.

Odisha Governor, S C Jamir and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik mourned the death of Patnaik and announced seven days of mourning the state as a mark of respect.

As per the officials, Chief Minister has canceled his progam related to ‘Aksyaya Tritiya’, scheduled for the day.

The congress stalwart had served as Chief Minister of Odisha for three times, two terms during 1980-89 and then from 1995-1999. He had also served as Governor of Assam from 2009 to 2014.

Patnaik’s body has been flown to his home state, Odisha and the last rites will be performed in Puri.

Born on January 3, 1927, Patnaik graduated in Sanskrit from Utkal University in 1947 and completed his post graduation in political science from Banaras Hindu University in 1949.

He became president of the Orissa Congress’s youth wing in 1950. Later in 1980, he became the Union minister for tourism, civil aviation and labor.

A pall of gloom has descended among congress members.

“Shri JB Patnaik will be remembered as a pillar of Odisha politics, a popular leader always connected with people's views & aspirations” Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.