Bishnu Sethi, a prominent BJP figure and MLA for Dhamnagar, passed away on Monday at the age of 61.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar’s Additional Superintendant Pravash Ranjan Tripathy reported that Sethi passed away while receiving treatment there.
Due to issues with his kidneys, he has spent the previous month in the best hospital’s intensive care unit.
In the Odisha Assembly, Sethi was the deputy leader of the opposition.
Sethi was receiving dialysis and has chronic renal issues, according to AIIMS authorities.
He experienced a cerebral stroke and a lung infection a month ago, which led to his admission at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar. Since then, he has been receiving treatment in the ICU of the top medical facility.
Sethi served as an MLA twice. In 2019, he was first elected in Chandbali and later in Dhamnagar.
In the Odisha BJP unit, he was the Vice President. Sethi, a JNU alumnus, had twice met the requirements of the Odisha Public Service Commission.
He was regarded as a direct leader who consistently spoke up for the welfare of the people of Odisha on a variety of problems.
As soon as word of the legislator’s passing spread, accolades and condolences poured in. Reputable people from many areas of life expressed their sorrow at Sethi’s passing and described it as a terrible loss.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed her sorrow at the passing of the Odisha politician on Twitter.
“Saddened by the demise of Shri Bishnu Charan Sethi, a prominent public figure in Odisha. A prolific writer, Shri Sethi was an eminent legislator. His demise leaves a void which is difficult to fill. My heartfelt condolences to his family, well-wishers and followers,” Murmu tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to his Twitter handle to express sympathies over the death of Sethi.
“Shri Bishnu Charan Sethi Ji made an outstanding contribution to Odisha’s progress. He distinguished himself as a hardworking legislator and contributed greatly to social empowerment. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti,” the Prime Minister wrote in a Twitter post.
Naveen Patnaik, the chief minister of Odisha, posted a message on Twitter expressing his condolences for Sethi’s passing.
Baijayant Panda, national vice president of the Bharatiya Janata Party, expressed sympathy over Sethi’s passing and said the state BJP has lost an invaluable member.
The governor of Andhra Pradesh, Bishwabhusan Harichandan, and Odisha, Ganeshi Lal, also offered their sincere condolences for Sethi’s passing.
Dharmendra Pradhan, the minister of state for education in the union, too expressed sorrow over Sethi’s loss.
Both BJP national president JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah posted condolences on Twitter in response to Sethi’s passing.
Prasanta Patnaik