Congress candidate for Pipili by-poll Ajit Mangaraj dies

Bhubaneswar: Ajit Mangaraj, Congress’ candidate for the Pipili bypoll, succumbed to COVID-19 infection while undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospitals in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.

Mangaraj was admitted to the Apollo Hospital on April 7 after being diagnosed with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Leaders cutting across party line expressed their condolences following the death of Mangaraj.

“I am saddened to hear about death of Congress candidate Ajit Magaraj, who was contesting the bypoll to Pipili Assembly Constituency. My condolence is with bereaved family of the leader,” said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Governor Professor Ganeshi Lal, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Pratap Sarangi also condoled the death of Ajit Mangaraj.

 “Ajit Mangaraj was a hard working and was popular among the mass in Pipili as the strong organiser. He contracted the COVID infection during election campaign,” Pradesh Congress Committee president Niranjan Patnaik.

Meanwhile, Odisha CEO Sushil Lohani said, “We are waiting for the report of the district returning officer regarding the demise of Congress candidate Ajit Mangaraj. The report will be then sent to the Election Commission of India which will announce fresh date for the bypoll.”