Former Pipili MLA and Indian National Congress Leader, Judhistir Samantaray, Passes Away at 73

Former Pipili MLA, Judhistir Samantaray, known popularly as Kedar Samantaray, has passed away at the age of 73. He was associated with the Indian National Congress and had also served as the chairman of Pipili block from 1984 to 1990. Mr. Samantaray, who had represented the Pipili assembly constituency in Puri district, succumbed to illness while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar. His younger brother, Dhirendra Samantaray, confirmed his demise. Judhistir Samantaray had been unwell for an extended period and was initially receiving treatment at his residence before being moved to the hospital. Dhirendra Samantaray expressed their family’s deep sorrow, stating that his elder brother had dedicated his life to the betterment of Pipili and Odisha. Despite his health challenges, Judhistir continued to work for the upliftment of Pipili, with plans for the electrification of the entire area. He had been an arch-rival of the late BJD MLA, Pradeep Maharathy, and was even the target of an alleged attack by Maharathy’s supporters in 1986, resulting in the loss of his left eye.