Popular tribal leader andformer Odisha Minister Bhagirathi Gamango passed awayfollowing prolonged illness, family sources said today.
The eminent Congress leader (75), who had been ailingfor quite some time, was returning from Bhubaneswar to hisvillage in Rayagada district when the end came on the way lastevening, they said.
Gamango was undergoing treatment at a private hospitalhere and was going back home after being discharged.
A popular leader in undivided Koraput district,Gamango was a six-time MLA and had served as minister between1973 and 1977 holding different departments like supply, ruraldevelopment, cooperation and agriculture, sources said.
A host of dignitaries and leaders including ChiefMinister Naveen Patnaik, leader of opposition in Odishaassembly Bhupinder Singh and former chief minister GiridharGamang have condoled his death.
Describing Gamango as an able administrator andpopular tribal leader, the chief minister said the late leaderhad contributed immensely for the uplift of dalits andtribals.
Bhupinder Singh hailed Gomango as a grassroot levelleader and said Odisha has lost a popular tribal leader in hisdemise.