NUAPADA : Former minister Lalit Mohan Gandhi died after falling from a moving train at Khariar Road station on Tuesday. According to reports, Lalit was on his way to Raipur from Titlagarh in Puri-Durg Intercity Express. He had alighted from the train at Khariar Road railway station at about 8.30 am to have tea on platform No. 1.
Later, when Lalit tried to board the train which had already gained speed, he slipped and was dragged under the wheels of the train. His right leg got severed resulting in profuse bleeding.
Railway authorities rushed him to Nuapada District Headquarters Hospital in a critical condition, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Born on October 2, 1951, Lalit was elected from Titlagarh constituency to the Assembly twice in 1977 and 1980. He was the Planning and Coordination Minister in J B Patnaik’s Cabinet.
He also held the portfolios of Information & Public Relations and Youth Affairs. He belonged to Titlagarh. Lalit joined the Youth Congress during Emergency as one of Sanjay Gandhi’s storm-troopers.