BHUBANESWAR:  Odisha BJP MLA Bishnu Charan Sethi passed away at the AIIMS in Bhubaneswar from kidney-related issues. He was 61.

Medical Superintendent, All India Institute Of Medical Science, Sachidananda Mohanty said Sethi was admitted to the hospital on August 16 this year. He was receiving dialysis three times a week in the hospital due to several illnesses, including hypertension, diabetes, and a chronic renal condition. "In spite of our best efforts, he died of acute cardiac failure at 7.45 am. on Monday," he informed.

Sethi was twice elected from two distinct Bhadrak district constituencies to serve in the State Assembly. He was initially elected to the House in 2000 from the Chandbali Assembly seat, and he was re-elected in 2019 from the Dhamnagar Assembly seat. He was the deputy opposition leader in the Odisha Assembly. He left behind a daughter, son, and his wife.

President Droupadi Murmu, Governors of Odisha Ganeshi Lal and Andhra Pradesh Biswa Bhushan Harichandan, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Speaker of the Assembly Bikram Keshari Aarukh, President of the Odisha Congress Sharat Pattanayak, and numerous other political figures have expressed their condolences for Sethi's passing.

"We are shocked by the passing of Shri Bishnu Charan Sethi, a well-known figure in Odisha. Shri Sethi was a well-known author as well as a respected legislator. His passing leaves a vacuum that is challenging to fill. My sincere sympathies to his family, supporters, and admirers "Murmu said in a tweet.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik noted on his official Twitter account that Sethi's welfare work for the people as a public representative will always be remembered.  He paid condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed for his soul to rest in peace.

Dharmendra Pradhan noted Sethi had made an incomparable contribution for strengthening BJP's base in Odisha. His departure is an irreparable loss not only to the BJP but also to state politics, he added.