Former Odisha MLA Umesh Chandra Swain passes away at 74

Bhubaneswar: Former Odisha MLA Umesh Chandra Swain died of cardiac arrest at his residence on Wednesday, PTI reported quoting family. He was 74 years old.

The last rites of the four-time legislator will be performed at his native village in Jagatsinghpur district.

Swain was elected to the Odisha assembly from Balikuda constituency four times. In 1977 he was a Janata Party candidate, in 1990 a Janata Dal nominee, and in 2000 and 2004 he contested on Congress ticket.

A close aide of former chief minister Biju Patnaik, Swain was a household name in the area due to his relief and restoration activities after floods and cyclones.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik condoled the demise of Swain.

“I am saddened to learn of the death of Umesh Chandra Swain, a former MLA from Balikuda constituency. As a people’s representative, he will always be remembered for his selfless service and public welfare work. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family,” Patnaik tweeted
in Odia.