Senior Congress leader and former Odisha minister Jagannath Rout died at a private hospital on Friday following a prolonged illness, family sources said.
He was 78.
Rout, who was undergoing treatment for age-related ailments, breathed his last on Friday. He is survived by wife, a daughter and a son.
A three-time MLA from Dhamnagar assembly constituency in Bhadrak district, Rout was elected as a Congress candidate in 1980, 1985 and 1995 elections.
Besides occupying important party positions, Rout had served as a minister and held key portfolios like Industry, Health and Family Minister and Urban Development in different spells.
A number of dignitaries including Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik have condoled his death. Expressing deep grief over the demise of the senior leader, Patnaik said Rout always discharged his duties and responsibilities with sincerity and dedication.