Former Odisha Minister and three-time Bhograi MLA Kamala Das succumbs at 79

Bhubaneswar: Former Odisha Minister and three-time Bhograi MLA Kamala Das has passed away at a private hospital in Cuttack. She was 79 years old.

According to sources close to her family, Das fell ill at her residence in Saheed Nagar, Bhubaneswar, two weeks ago. She was subsequently admitted to Apollo Hospital in the capital city. After being diagnosed with a lung infection, she was transferred to Ashwini Hospital in Cuttack 12 days ago.

Das was placed on a ventilator at the hospital for the last three days before she passed away around 12:30 pm.

She had a distinguished political career, being elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly three times. She won elections in 1990 as a candidate of the Janata Dal, again in 1995 as a nominee of the Janata Dal, and in 2000 as a candidate of the BJD.