Puri, July 5: Veteran BJD leader and former Odisha Minister Surendranath Naik passed away while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar, on Friday morning. He was 93.

Naik has been unwell for the last few days and undergoing treatment at a Bhubaneswar-based private hospital.

Naik was elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly seven times from Kakatpur constituency in Puri district.

Apart from being an MLA, he was chairman of Astarang Panchayat Samiti from 1960 to 1967.

Throughout his political career, he served in various ministerial roles, including agriculture, revenue, and education.

With seven terms as an MLA and a range of ministerial portfolios under his belt, he became a seasoned leader. 

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi also expressed grief over the demise of former BJD Minister Surendranath Naik; 'his death is a great loss to the State', said the CM, conveying condolences to Naik's family.

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