Senior Congress leader Gangadhar Mohapatra passed away

Bhubaneswar, Apr 5 (UNI) Eminent Lawyer and senior Congress leader Gangadhar Mohapatra passed away following cardiac arrest at his residence here. he was 91.

Mr Mohapatra was elected four times to the State Assembly during his three decades of political career. He was elected twice from Satyabadi assembly constituency in 1967 and 1974 and then switched over the Brahmagiri Assembly Constituency which he won in 1980 and 1985 Assembly elections.

He was Minister of Food and Supply, Tourism in 1975-76 and later became the Cabinet Minister in 1980 and held the Education and Youth service. He also held the Finance portfolio during 1985-90.

During his school days he was expelled from the Zilla School for participating in Civil Disobedience movement in 1931. He was courted arrest and jailed during freedom struggle movement in 1940.

Mr Mohapatra is survived by his wife, six sons and four daughters.

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ane Leader of Opposition J B Pattnaik condoled the demise of Mr Mohapatra stating that the state lost a senior political personality who was actively associated with the educational and cultural activities.

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