Veteran tribal leader and four-time Odisha MLA George Tirkey passes away at 67

George Tirkey, a veteran tribal leader and four-time legislator from Odisha, passed away on Saturday at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar. He was 67 and had been undergoing treatment for several months due to prolonged illness.

A respected grassroots organiser, Tirkey was known for his unwavering commitment to the rights and welfare of the tribal community. Over the decades, he built a reputation as a powerful voice for marginalised groups, combining strong organisational skills with an independent political spirit.

Throughout his career, Tirkey contested and won elections on different platforms, including the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), the Samata Kranti Dal, and even as an independent candidate, earning recognition for his influence beyond party lines.

His passing marks the end of an era in Odisha’s tribal politics, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and community empowerment.

He was particularly active in Sundargarh district, where he worked to strengthen the tribal movement and mobilise support for the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. Over the years, Tirkey became a household name for his relentless advocacy on behalf of the indigenous population, fighting for their rights and welfare.

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In his political career, George Tirkey was elected twice consecutively as an MLA from JMM in 1995 and 2000. Later, he won the 2009 Assembly elections as an independent candidate, and in 2014, he returned to the legislative assembly on a Samata Kranti Dal ticket.

Tirkey’s son, Rohit Tirkey, is currently serving as an MLA from Biramitrapur on a BJD ticket.