CM Majhi Mourns Death of Former Kalahandi MP Rasabihari Behera
Synopsis
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi mourned the passing of Rasabihari Behera — former MP from Kalahandi and former MLA from Kokasara — praising his long service to the people and praying to Lord Jagannath for the peace of his soul.
Key Takeaways
Rasabihari Behera , former MP from Kalahandi and former MLA from Kokasara , has passed away.
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep grief on November 4, 2026 via a post on X in Odia.
Majhi praised Behera's long service as a public representative and his contributions to regional development.
The Chief Minister offered condolences to the bereaved family and prayed to Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath for the soul's peace.
Behera's dual service — as both an MP and an MLA — marked him as a significant figure in western Odisha's democratic history.
A long chapter of public service in western Odisha came to a close with the passing of Rasabihari Behera — former Member of Parliament from Kalahandi and former MLA from Kokasara — prompting Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to express his deep grief on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
Posting in Odia on X, CM Majhi wrote: 'Kalahandi-r purbatana sansad tatha Kokasara-r purbatana bidhaayak Rasabihari Behera-anka paraloka khabar suni mun atyanta dukhita' — 'I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former MP from Kalahandi and former MLA from Kokasara, Rasabihari Behera.' He added that Behera's contributions as a public representative in serving the people and developing the region 'will always be remembered,' and offered heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The Chief Minister concluded with a prayer to Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath for the peace of the departed soul, closing with the words Om Shanti.A Life of Representation: Kalahandi and Kokasara
Rasabihari Behera held two distinct electoral mandates over his public career — one at the parliamentary level representing Kalahandi, one of western Odisha's most prominent and historically significant districts, and one at the assembly level representing Kokasara. His dual service as both an MP and an MLA marks him as a figure who engaged Odisha's democratic life at multiple tiers. Kalahandi, a district long associated with agrarian challenges and gradual developmental strides, was shaped in part by its elected representatives over successive decades.Majhi's Condolence: Jagannath as Witness
The invocation of Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath in the Chief Minister's condolence is characteristic of Odia public mourning — the presiding deity of Puri is a deeply rooted spiritual reference point across the state's political and social culture. CM Majhi's prayer for sadgati — a blessed onward journey for the soul — reflects the register that Odia leaders across party lines typically adopt when paying tribute to departed colleagues in public service. It is a gesture that speaks as much to constituents in Kalahandi and Kokasara as it does to the family. Behera's legacy now rests with the communities he represented. The Chief Minister's public tribute ensures that record is formally acknowledged at the highest level of the state.Point of View
Reinforcing continuity and institutional respect across political generations. The specific invocation of Lord Jagannath grounds the tribute in Odisha's distinct cultural identity, a register Majhi has consistently used to signal his rootedness in the state. While the message carries no policy or legislative consequence, it underscores the BJP government's effort to maintain goodwill across all corners of Odisha, including the historically significant western district of Kalahandi.
NationPress
4 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Rasabihari Behera?
Rasabihari Behera was a former Member of Parliament from Kalahandi and a former MLA from Kokasara in Odisha, remembered for his long service as a public representative.
Why did CM Mohan Majhi pay tribute to Rasabihari Behera?
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi issued a condolence statement on X upon learning of Behera's death, acknowledging his contributions to public service and regional development.
Which constituency did Rasabihari Behera represent as an MP?
Rasabihari Behera represented the Kalahandi parliamentary constituency in western Odisha as a Member of Parliament.
What did CM Majhi pray for Rasabihari Behera?
CM Majhi prayed to Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath for the peace and blessed onward journey (sadgati) of Rasabihari Behera's soul, closing his message with 'Om Shanti.'
Where is Kokasara, the assembly seat Rasabihari Behera once represented?
Kokasara is an assembly constituency located in the Kalahandi district of western Odisha, which Rasabihari Behera served as a former MLA.
