In a tweet in Odia, Pradhan said, “I am saddened to hear the demise former Bijapur MLA Rajeev Lochan Hota.”
“He will always be remembered for his work during his long political career. I express my condolences to the bereaved families. May the departed soul rest in peace,” he added.
Rajeev Lochan Hota, former Congress MLA from Bijapur constituency in Odisha's Bargarh district, died at a hospital on Thursday due to old age-related ailments. He was 86.
Born in 1935, Hota became the Barpali block chairman in 1967 and was elected to the Assembly from Bijepur constituency in 1980 on a Congress ticket.
The Congress leader also served as the chairman of Odisha Markfed in 1983.
A pal of gloom has descended in Bargarh district following the demise of the veteran politician.