Former Odisha Minister Susanta Singh Dies at 53

Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and former Odisha cabinet minister Susanta Singh passed away on Monday morning in a private hospital in Bhubaneswar at the age of 53. He had been undergoing treatment for a prolonged illness, reported as motor neurone disease, when his condition worsened.

Singh represented the Bhatli Assembly constituency in Bargarh district for three consecutive terms (2009, 2014, 2019) and held key portfolios, including Labour & Employees’ State Insurance, Energy and Rural Development. He lost the 2024 state election to BJP candidate Irasis Acharya but remained an influential figure in the BJD. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and opposition leader Naveen Patnaik expressed condolences, and his remains were taken to the Assembly premises and the party office before final rites in Bhatli.