Khallikote: The queen of the Khallikote and veteran Biju Janta Dal (BJD) leader, V Sugnana Kumari Deo, passed away on Saturday in Chennai.
First elected to Odisha Legislative Assembly in 1963, she was one among the Pro-tem speaker of the 15th Odisha assembly. She has won a total of 10 times in her political career from Khallikote and Kabisuryanagar constituencies.
Sugnana Kumari Deo belonged to the royal family of Khallikote and is the daughter-in-law of Raja Ramchandra Mardaja Deo.
Khallikote queen V Sugnana Kumari Deo was admitted to a private hospital in Chennai following health complications.
According to reliable reports, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik visited Chennai on Friday to meet the ailing party leader and enquired about her health condition. State’s Finance Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha, BJD MLAs Usha Devi and Pranab Prakash Dash also accompanied the Chief Minister.
“We are here in Chennai to see Sugnana Deo who is one of the most senior members of our political party. She has been a 10-time MLA of the party. She is very ill and we are praying for her. We are tremendously grateful for all the hard work she has done for Odisha. The doctors say that she is serious. All of us are praying for her,” said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Ms Kalinga