Sarada Prasad Padhan is an Indian politician from Odisha, currently serving as a Member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly representing the Mahanga Assembly constituency. He assumed office on 4 June 2024 after winning the state assembly elections as an independent candidate.
Born on 27 July 1978 in Podamarai village of Mahanga, Padhan comes from a politically active family. His father, Brajabandhu Pradhan, served multiple terms as the Sarpanch of Podamarai Gram Panchayat, which influenced his early interest in grassroots politics and public service.
Before entering mainstream electoral politics, Padhan was actively involved in social service and cultivation, building strong local connections. He initially aligned with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) but later distanced himself due to internal party dynamics.
He went on to establish a regional development platform called Mahanga Vikash Parishad (MVP), focusing on local issues and grassroots mobilization.
After facing electoral defeats in 2014 and 2019, Padhan achieved a major political breakthrough in 2024, defeating Ankit Pratap Jena of BJD and becoming an independent MLA. His victory marked a significant shift in Mahanga’s political landscape, previously dominated by Pratap Jena.
In his personal life, Padhan married Sipra Priyadarshini Bal, an Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officer, on 2 March 2025 in Jaipur, Rajasthan.