Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader, former minister and sitting MLA from Nuapada in Odisha, Rajendra Dholakia, passed away this morning while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Chennai. He was 69 and elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly four times. He had been battling illness for several months.

The passing away of Dholakia has prompted an outpouring of condolences from political leaders of the BJP, BJD, Congress and others. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has also deeply condoled the death of the BJD MLA. The mortal remains of Dholakia will be flown to Bhubaneswar on Tuesday and taken to the Odisha Legislative Assembly for homage by the members.