Satpathy was champion of poor: Shekhawat

New Delhi, Aug 5 (UNI) Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat has expressed profound grief over the death of former Orissa Chief Minister Nandini Satpathy.

In a condolence message sent to her son Tathagata Satpathy, Member of Parliament, the Vice-President said Ms Satpathy was a ''champion of the weaker sections''.

As the Chief Minister of the State, Union Minister and MP,she served with great distinction and earned the love and adulation of the people, Mr Shekhawat said.

''In her long public career, she was widely respected for her dynamic leadership, matured reflection and political vision. She will be long remembered for her services to the State of Orissa and the country,'' he said.

Ms Satpathy, a senior Congress leader and eminent writer, who was elected to the Orissa Assembly seven times, died last night after a prolonged illness.

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