Argus News - Former Sambalpur MLA Raseswari Panigrahi Passes Away

Sambalpur, Feb 16: Former Sambalpur MLA Dr. Raseswari Panigrahi passed away while undergoing treatment at her residence here in Odisha on Monday evening, family sources said. She was 79 and unmarried.

According to reports, Dr. Panigrahi, a respected doctor and politician, had been critically ill in recent days due to severe health complications, including a lung infection and neurological issues.

Dr. Panigrahi, a gynecologist by profession, was elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly from Sambalpur in 2014 as a Biju Janata Dal (BJD) candidate. She was widely known for her decades of service at VIMSAR, Burla, and her contributions to healthcare in western Odisha. In recent years, she had stepped away from active politics to focus on grassroots social work.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed condolences, describing Panigrahi as a leader who combined medical expertise with political commitment. “She served the people of Sambalpur with dedication, both as a doctor and as a legislator. Her demise is a great loss to the state,” CM Majhi said.

Political colleagues, medical professionals, and community members have also paid tribute, recalling her compassionate nature and her efforts to improve healthcare facilities in western Odisha.