Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], March 28 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Manoj Tiwari on Friday paid tribute to former Union Minister Debendra Pradhan in Odisha's Bhubaneswar.

After paying tribute, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said, '...Dr Debendra Pradhan has made a significant contribution to Indian politics and especially to the politics of Odisha. His son, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, is playing an important role in the central government.'

BJP senior leaders from across the country paid tribute to the late Pradhan, father of current Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

After paying tribute to Pradhan, BJP leader Raman Singh said, 'We paid tribute to former Union Minister Dr Debendra Pradhan... I got the opportunity to work closely with former Union Minister Dr Debendra Pradhan. He was a very humble and knowledgeable person...'

Terming late Pradhan's passing away as an 'irreparable' loss, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar said, 'Dr Debendra Pradhan was like a father figure for our party... He dedicated his whole life to the party... His passing away is an irreparable loss for the party.'

Earlier today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid his respects to the late Union Minister. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi was present at the tribute ceremony.

Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik paid a heartfelt tribute to former Union Minister Dr Debendra Pradhan, who passed away on March 17 at the age of 84, by creating a beautiful sand sculpture at Puri Beach in Odisha. The sculpture featured an image of Dr Pradhan along with the message 'Siddha Purusha'.

On March 26, the Lok Sabha also paid tribute to the late Union Minister. The House observed a moment of silence in his honour.

Debendra Pradhan, who passed away at the age of 84, was the father of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and served as a member of the 12th and 13th Lok Sabha from the Deogarh parliamentary constituency of Odisha.

Pradhan had a long political career, having served as the BJP Odisha unit president three times - 1988 to 1990, 1990 to 1993, and 1995 to 1997. He also held the positions of Union Minister of State for Surface Transport and Minister of State for Agriculture. (ANI)