Bhubaneswar , July 27 (UDN):  Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and former Odisha minister Sushant Singh passed away on Monday following a prolonged illness. He was 53. His demise has prompted an outpouring of condolences from political leaders and supporters across the state.

According to sources, Singh had been undergoing treatment for several months and breathed his last at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar on Monday morning.

A prominent political figure from western Odisha, Sushant Singh was regarded as one of the BJD’s strongest leaders in Bargarh district. He represented the Bhatli Assembly constituency three times, earning recognition for his close connection with the people and his active role in regional development.

During the tenure of the BJD government, Singh served as a cabinet minister and was entrusted with important portfolios, including Labour and Energy. Throughout his political career, he played a key role in strengthening the party’s presence in western Odisha and remained an influential voice within the state’s political landscape.

Singh contested the 2024 Odisha Assembly elections but was defeated. Following the electoral setback, his health reportedly deteriorated, and he had been under continuous medical supervision in recent months.

His untimely demise marks the loss of an experienced political leader whose contributions extended beyond electoral politics. Colleagues across party lines remembered him as a dedicated public representative who worked for the welfare of his constituency and the development of western Odisha.

With his passing, the BJD has lost one of its senior leaders, while Odisha bids farewell to a politician who remained a significant figure in the state’s political landscape for over a decade.