Senior BJD leader and former Odisha minister Bijayshree Routray passed away while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.
Routray, 67, had in May tested positive for COVID-19. He was reportedly undergoing treatment for post-Covid complications.
A six time MLA, Routray had served as the Health, Forest & Environment Minister in Naveen Patnaik's cabinet.
"Routray's demise has deeply saddened us. Bijayshree and I had been with Biju babu since 1990. He was one of my close friends. I had last met him 20-25 days ago and we had a long discussion," said Odisha Assembly Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro.
"I pray before God that may his soul rest in peace," said Patro condoling his death.
BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda expressed grief over the demise of Routray and tweeted, "Shocked & deeply saddened by the passing of former Odisha minister Shri Bijayshree Routray. Son of late CM Nilamani Routray Ji, he was a brilliant student before dedicating himself to public life. We knew & liked each other well. Condolences to his family & followers."
BLD MLA Amar Satapathy said Routray was a leader with great self-respect and one who had immense love for flora and fauna. He had carried out great works during his stint as the Forest & Environment minister.
"I am deeply saddened by the demise of Routray. His death has created a void in Odisha politics," said Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan.