Senior BJD Leader, Former Odisha Minister Sushant Singh Dies At 53
A prominent political figure from western Odisha, Singh was a three-time MLA from the Bhatli Assembly constituency in Bargarh district and was regarded as one of the BJD's most influential leaders in the region.
Bhubaneswar: Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and former Odisha minister Sushant Singh passed away on Monday after a prolonged illness. He was 53.
Singh breathed his last at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar, where he had been undergoing treatment for the past several months, party leaders and family sources said.
A prominent political figure from western Odisha, Singh was a three-time MLA from the Bhatli Assembly constituency in Bargarh district and was regarded as one of the BJD's most influential leaders in the region. During the BJD government's tenure, he served in the State Cabinet, holding important portfolios, including Labour and Employees' State Insurance (ESI) and Energy.
Known for his strong grassroots connect and organisational skills, Singh played a key role in strengthening the BJD's political base in western Odisha. Over the years, he emerged as one of the party's principal faces in the region and was closely associated with several developmental initiatives undertaken during the previous BJD government.
Singh suffered defeat in the 2024 Odisha Assembly elections, marking the end of his electoral winning streak. His health reportedly deteriorated in the months following the election, and he had been undergoing prolonged medical treatment.
His death has been widely mourned across the political spectrum, with leaders from different parties expressing condolences and recalling his contribution to Odisha's political landscape and public life.