Bhubaneswar, May 13 -- Former Kantabanji MLA and senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Haji Md. Ayub Khan passed away at his residence in Kantabanji on Wednesday morning after a prolonged illness. He was 78.
A prominent political figure in western Odisha, Ayub Khan was first elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly from the Kantabanji Assembly constituency as an Independent candidate in 2004. He later joined the Biju Janata Dal and was re-elected from the same constituency as a BJD candidate in 2014.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Leader of Opposition as well as BJD president Naveen Patnaik expressed deep grief over his demise.
In his condolence message, the Chief Minister said he was deeply saddened by the passing of former Kanta...