Former Odisha Education minister and ex-Bijepur MLA Ripunath Seth passed away while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Barpali of Bargarh district on Sunday. He was 67.
According sources, Seth’s health condition suddenly deteriorated this morning and he was immediately put under emergency care at the hospital. However, he breathed his last during the treatment.
Meanwhile, a pall of gloom has descended in the region after the spread of news on the ex-minister's demise.
Seth, a senior Congress leader from Bargarh, started his political career as Barpali NAC chairman in 1992. Later in 1995, he was elected to the State Legislative Assembly from Bijepur Assembly constituency.
Moreover, he had also served as the School and Mass Education Minister during the Congress Government in the State from 1995 to 2000.
Seth also had unsuccessfully contested from the Bijepur Assembly Constituency against Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in 2019.
CM Naveen Patnaik has expressed grief over the passing away of the veteran Congress leader.
Taking to Twitter, Patnaik wrote, “I am saddened to learn of the death of former Bargarh MLA and Minister Ripunath Seth. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.”
Similarly, condoling the demises of Seth, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Niranjan Patnaik wrote, “May Lord Jagannath grant peace to the departed soul. Om Shanti”