Former MLA from Pipili assembly constituency in Puri district, Judhistir Samantaray passed away on Monday while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar. He was 73.
Samantaray’s younger brother Dhirendra Samantaray confirmed the news of his demise. The legislator represented Pipili from 1995 to 2000.
According to sources, Samantaray was unwell for a long time and was under treatment at his residence. He was later shifted to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar after his condition worsened.
Speaking exclusively to OTV, Samantaray’s brother Dhirendra Samantaray said, “My elder brother spent all his life for the betterment of Pipili and Odisha. Today, he bade farewell to all of us. We are all heartbroken. All the people of Pipili and Delang are in shock.”
“Even being bed-ridden, he used to think about the betterment of Pipili. He wanted 33kv electrification of the entire Pipili. Before leaving, he had already done enough for Pipili. He wanted to do more for Pipili, but he left all of us,” Dhirendra added.
Notably, Samantaray was a leader of the Indian National Congress. Judhisthir popularly known as Kedar Samantaray also served as the chairman of Pipili block from 1984 to 1990.
He was an arch-rival of BJD MLA late Pradeep Maharathy. In 1986, the former MLA was allegedly attacked by Maharathy’s men. Though he escaped the bid on his life, he lost his left eye in the attack.