Cuttack: Senior BJP leader and former minister Samir Dey breathed his last on Monday while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Odisha’s Cuttack city. He was 67.
Dey was admitted to the hospital in CDA area here after he suddenly fell ill on November 1. Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, accompanied by Deputy CM Pravati Parida, had visited him on November 16.
Dey represented Cuttack for three consecutive terms by winning the Assembly elections in 1995, 2000 and 2004. He also served as a Cabinet Minister in the BJD-BJP alliance government from 2000-2009. He was the Urban Development Minister during 2000-2004 and Higher Education Minister during 2004-2009.
Mourning his demise, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that his last rites will be performed with full state honours.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan addressed him as Dada (big brother) and said that Odisha has lost an affectionate and efficient leader. Taking to her official X handle, Odisha Deputy CM Pravati Parida wrote, “He had set an example for party men by reaching out to people of Cuttack and nearby area during the Ram Janma Bhoomi Andolan. He proved his mettle as a minister in 2000 and 2004. His passing away is a great loss not only for our party but for the entire state.”
Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab reminisced the time they had worked together. “Samir Dey had a vision to turn Cuttack into a modern city and worked tirelessly to achieve it. I knew him before he became a MLA. From 1998 to 2009, we worked together. Under his leadership, two to three universities were set up in Cuttack. He also played a crucial role in bringing reforms in the Higher Education department.”
Cuttack Mayor Subhas Singh also mourned his death. “Samir Dey played a crucial role in the development of the city. Despite political differences, we worked together during festivals,” he said.