Former Odisha MLA Kulamani Rout Dies at 78 in Bhubaneswar
Senior Congress leader and former MLA Kulamani Rout passed away on Thursday afternoon. He died at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar. The veteran politician from Kendrapada district was 78 years old.
Long Battle with Illness
Kulamani Rout had been unwell for more than a year. He was undergoing continuous treatment for his illness during this period. His health had been declining steadily before his final admission to the hospital.
Political Legacy in Bari-Derabisi
Rout entered the Odisha Legislative Assembly in 1990. He won the Bari-Derabisi assembly seat as a Janata Dal candidate. He served as MLA from 1990 to 1995, representing Kendrapada district.
During his tenure, Rout focused on development works in the Bari-Derabisi areas. Current Bari MLA Biswaranjan Mallick remembered him fondly. "As a leader, he left an indelible mark through his excellent work," Mallick said. "He was simple, honest and calm. He carried out many development works when he was an MLA."
Political Leaders Express Condolences
Several prominent political figures mourned Rout's passing:
- Kendrapada MLA Ganeswar Behera
- Former Union minister Srikant Jena
- Former minister Bijay Mohapatra
- Former Bari MLA Debashis Nayak
These leaders joined many others in expressing their grief over the loss of the senior Congress figure.
Final Rites at Shankarpur Village
The former MLA's body was consigned to flames on Thursday night. The last rites took place at Shankarpur village in Kendrapada district. Family members, political associates, and local residents attended the funeral ceremony.
Kulamani Rout's death marks the end of an era in Kendrapada politics. His five-year term as MLA left a lasting impact on the region's development trajectory. The Congress party has lost one of its experienced leaders in coastal Odisha.
