<p>Senior BJD leader Bijayshree Routray died at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday, his family said. Routray, also a former minister in the state government, was 67.</p>.<p>He is survived by two sons and wife.</p>.<p>Routray was undergoing treatment for post-Covid-19 complications at the hospital. "My father's blood pressure fell abnormally this morning and it could not be maintained," said his son Bishnubrata Routray, an MLA.</p>.<p>Routray was elected to the state assembly six times from the Basudevpur seat -- twice on the Janata Dal ticket and four times as a BJD candidate.</p>.<p>The son of former chief minister Nilamani Routray, he entered the Assembly for the first time in 1990. He has held several portfolios as a minister in the Naveen Patnaik government, including Health, Forest and Environment and Revnue.</p>.<p>Routray decided not to contest the 2019 elections, and the party gave the ticket to his son Bishnubrata.</p>.<p>After completing MA in Geography, Routray joined Ravenshaw College as a lecturer. However, he quit the job and joined politics in 1980.</p>.<p>Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik described him as a very popular leader. He spoke to Routray's son and family members and conveyed his condolence.</p>.<p>Assembly Speaker SN Patro said he and Routray had been with Biju Patnaik since 1990. "He was one of my close friends. I had last met him 20-25 days ago and we had a long discussion," he said.</p>.<p>Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also condoled Routray's demise, while BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda expressed grief.</p>.<p>Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan said, "I am deeply saddened by the demise of Routray. His death has created a void in Odisha politics."</p>
<p>Senior BJD leader Bijayshree Routray died at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday, his family said. Routray, also a former minister in the state government, was 67.</p>.<p>He is survived by two sons and wife.</p>.<p>Routray was undergoing treatment for post-Covid-19 complications at the hospital. "My father's blood pressure fell abnormally this morning and it could not be maintained," said his son Bishnubrata Routray, an MLA.</p>.<p>Routray was elected to the state assembly six times from the Basudevpur seat -- twice on the Janata Dal ticket and four times as a BJD candidate.</p>.<p>The son of former chief minister Nilamani Routray, he entered the Assembly for the first time in 1990. He has held several portfolios as a minister in the Naveen Patnaik government, including Health, Forest and Environment and Revnue.</p>.<p>Routray decided not to contest the 2019 elections, and the party gave the ticket to his son Bishnubrata.</p>.<p>After completing MA in Geography, Routray joined Ravenshaw College as a lecturer. However, he quit the job and joined politics in 1980.</p>.<p>Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik described him as a very popular leader. He spoke to Routray's son and family members and conveyed his condolence.</p>.<p>Assembly Speaker SN Patro said he and Routray had been with Biju Patnaik since 1990. "He was one of my close friends. I had last met him 20-25 days ago and we had a long discussion," he said.</p>.<p>Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also condoled Routray's demise, while BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda expressed grief.</p>.<p>Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan said, "I am deeply saddened by the demise of Routray. His death has created a void in Odisha politics."</p>