The last rites of 10-time MLA and the queen of Khallikote, V Sugnana Kumari Deo will be performed today. Earlier, her mortal remains reached Bhubaneswar from Chennai in a special flight on Saturday evening.
After arrival, her mortal remains were taken to the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) party office (Sankha Bhawan). Several party leaders along with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik paid tributes to Deo.
Later, Deo’s body was taken to the Odisha Assembly where the Speaker and MLAs paid their last respects. Subsequently, the mortal remains were taken to Khallikote.
Finance Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha, who was at there to pay his last respects to Deo, said, “She was popular not only in the undivided Ganjam district but across Odisha too. Despite belonging to a Royal Family, she represented the common people. She preferred to stay among the common man. She has worked her all life towards the betterment of the poor.”
“She was a 10-time MLA and was loved by all. She has extensively worked towards the improvement of education, drinking water supply, and road communication in her areas. Her demise is a loss for all of us,” said Berhampur MLA Bikram Panda.
last rites will be performed today at the royal cremation ground in Khallikote.
She passed away while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Chennai on Saturday at the age of 87.