Nuapada, Sep 8: Veteran politician and four-time MLA Rajendra Dholakia passed away on Monday while undergoing treatment at MGM Hospital in Chennai. He had been admitted for a heart transplant procedure but succumbed before the surgery could be performed.

Dholakia, who began his political career as chairman of Khariar Road NAC, was elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly four times, once as an independent and three times on a Biju Janata Dal (BJD) ticket. He also served as Minister of Planning and Convergence in a previous BJD-led government.

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.