BHUBANESWAR: Senior Congress leader of Odisha Lalatendu 'Lulu' Bidyadhar Mohapatra passed away at a private hospital in Gurgaon Sunday evening. He was 52. He is survived by his wife and daughter.
Mohapatra, a three-time MLA from Brahmagiri and a long-time chief of the Odisha Congress' youth wing, was being treated for an illness at Gurgaon's Medanta Hospital for the last few weeks. The end came at about 10.30 pm Sunday, his younger brother said.
A popular leader among the youth across the regions of the state, Lalatendu Mohapatra was elected from Brahmagiri Assembly constituency in 1995, 2000 and 2004.
Mohapatra was known for his organisational skills. Considered very close to former chief minister J B Patnaik, Mohapatra was able to make a mark in Odisha politics because of his popularity among students and youngsters.
Mohapatra was appointed as a working president of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee [OPCC] in 2009 when K P
Singhdeo was the OPCC president. He also worked in several capacities in the party in Odisha.
An alumnus of BJB College, Lalatendu Mohapatra served as joint secretary of the National Students Union of India [NSUI] in 1983 before being elevated as its Odisha president in 1987.
Political leaders cutting across party lines condoled the death of Mohapatra. Describing Mohapatra as an able organiser, chief minister Naveen Patnaik conveyed his deep sympathy to the bereaved family.
Union petroleum and natural gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed his grief over the untimely demise of Mohapatra.
"I had known Lulubhai since our student days and always shared a good personal relationship with him. His passing away is a huge loss for Odisha besides being a personal loss," he said.
AICC general secretary B K Hariprasad, OPCC president Prasad Harichandan, leader of the opposition Narasingh Mishra, former Union minister Srikant Jena, former OPCC presidents Niranjan Patnaik, Jaydev Jena, Lok Sabha MP Baijayant Panda, several ministers including Sanjay Dasburma and leaders cutting across party lines condoled his death.
