Bhubaneswar, Sep 8: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday expressed deep grief over the demise of Nuapada MLA and former minister Rajendra Dholakia.

Taking to the Twitter handle, the Chief Minister offered condolences to the bereaved family and prayed to Lord Jagannath for eternal peace of the departed soul.

ନୂଆପଡ଼ା ବିଧାୟକ ତଥା ପୂର୍ବତନ ମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ରାଜେନ୍ଦ୍ର ଢ଼ୋଲକିଆଙ୍କ ଦେହାନ୍ତ ବିଷୟରେ ଜାଣି ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଦୁଃଖିତ। ଶୋକସନ୍ତପ୍ତ ପରିବାର ପ୍ରତି ମୋର ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଇବା ସହ ଦିବଙ୍ଗତ ଆତ୍ମାଙ୍କ ଶାନ୍ତି ପାଇଁ ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରୁଛି। ଓଁ ଶାନ୍ତି 🙏

Dholakia had been battling illness for several months and was admitted to MGM Hospital in Chennai for advanced treatment. He had recently undergone a heart transplant and was scheduled for a kidney transplant when his health deteriorated.

Dholakia, who began his political career as chairman of Khariar Road NAC, was elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly four times.

His death has cast a pall of grief over Nuapada district, where he was widely respected for his leadership and public service. Residents and political leaders have expressed deep sorrow over the loss of a seasoned statesman who played a pivotal role in regional development.

Sources indicate that his mortal remains will be flown to Bhubaneswar on Tuesday and taken to the Odisha Legislative Assembly for public homage.