Surendra Nath Naik

Surendra Nath Naik (17 May 1937 – 5 July 2024) was an Indian politician, a senior leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and a former minister in Odisha. He served seven terms as a Member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly. Naik was a cabinet minister in the BJD-BJP coalition government led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik from 2000 to 2009, overseeing various portfolios including excise, revenue, school and mass education, and Panchayati Raj. Naik also served as the deputy chairman of the Odisha Planning Board from 2012 to 2014.

Early life and education Surendra Nath Naik was born on 17 May 1937, to Narayan Naik and married Charubala Devi. He was inspired to enter politics by Chief Minister Biju Patnaik. Naik's political journey began early, as he was active in politics since his student days. In 1968, he was arrested for protesting a bus fare increase and was again detained in 1975 under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA). Naik represented the 5th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th (by-election), 12th, and 13th Odisha Legislative Assembly sessions, respectively.

Health and passing Naik died on 5 July 2024, at his residence in Bhubaneswar at the age of 93. He had been suffering from a brain stroke since 2019.