Bhubaneswar: Former Odisha minister and BJD leader Susanta Singh passed away on Monday while undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospital in Bhubaneswar. He was 53.
He had been battling a prolonged illness and was admitted to the hospital a few days ago after his health deteriorated.
A prominent leader from western Odisha, Susanta was elected as the MLA from the Bhatli Assembly constituency three times (2009, 2014 and 2019). During his political career, the BJD leader held important portfolios in the Odisha government and was widely known for his commitment to public service and development-oriented initiatives in his constituency.
In the 2024 Odisha Legislative Assembly elections, Singh contested from his home constituency of Bhatli but was defeated by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Irasis Acharya. Despite the election outcome, he remained an influential leader within the Biju Janata Dal.
Political leaders, colleagues, and supporters from across the state have expressed immense grief over his early demise. Family sources confirmed that his final rites will be performed at his birthplace in Bhatli.