CUTTACK: Nityananda Samantray, former legislator and father of Barabati-Cuttack BJD MLA Debasish Samantray died of cardiac arrest at his Rajabagicha residence here on Friday. He was 85.
Born in Kolar village in undivided Cuttack district in 1933, Samantray was elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly from Tirtol constituency of Jagatsinghpur district as a Congress candidate in 1985. Being a front line member of Congress (I), Samantray had attended all important All India Congress Committee (AICC) sessions.
A litterateur and automobile engineer, Samantray was also associated with various socio-cultural and educational institutions. He was the president of Jagatpur High School, Samantarapur High School and member of governing body of Adi Kabi Sarala Das College at Tirtol. Besides, as a grass-root leader, he was keen on uplifting social life of villagers in the State. A pall of gloom descended on Tirtol after his demise. Leaders of various political parties and bureaucrats reached his residence at Rajabagicha and paid floral tributes. His last rites will be performed at Khannagar on Saturday, family sources said.