By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR/ROURKELA: Former Rourkela MLA Gurupada Nanda passed away while undergoing treatment at a private hospital on Tuesday. He was 77.As per a source close to the family, the politician was admitted to a COVID hospital here after he tested positive for the virus.Nanda, who started his political career as a student leader, was elected as the MLA from Rourkela Assembly Constituency in 1980 on a Congress ticket. He was also elected as the President of Cuttack District Congress Committee.
“Deeply saddened to learn about the demise of Veteran Congress leader and former Rourkela MLA #GurupadaNanda.A very jovial person, he represented the Rourkela Assembly Constituency from 1980 to 1985. In 1985, by winning the assembly election which was also my first election, I succeeded him as MLA Rourkela and even though belonging to different parties, we shared a very cordial relation and I have many fond memories of him,” former Union Minister Dilip Ray said.
“I still remember when I joined Congress, he was perhaps the happiest person. Kind-hearted and generous person that he was, he left a mark on everyone with his work during his tenure as MLA Rourkela and never allowed anyone to feel that he is an outsider.In his demise, our State has lost a good leader and most importantly a good human being. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family in this hour of grief. May God grant eternal peace to the departed soul,” Ray said.
