Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA and former Minister Rajendra Dholakia passed away on Monday while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Chennai. He was 69 and had been suffering from a kidney ailment.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik, and Deputy Chief Ministers K.V. Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, along with many others from across the political spectrum, expressed their condolences over the tragic death of the Nuapada MLA.
Taking to his X handle, CM Majhi wrote, “Deeply saddened to learn about the demise of the Nuapada MLA and former minister Rajendra Dholakia. I convey my condolences to the bereaved family and pray to Lord Shree Jagannath for the peace of the departed soul.”
ନୂଆପଡ଼ା ବିଧାୟକ ତଥା ପୂର୍ବତନ ମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ରାଜେନ୍ଦ୍ର ଢ଼ୋଲକିଆଙ୍କ ଦେହାନ୍ତ ବିଷୟରେ ଜାଣି ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଦୁଃଖିତ। ଶୋକସନ୍ତପ୍ତ ପରିବାର ପ୍ରତି ମୋର ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଇବା ସହ ଦିବଙ୍ଗତ ଆତ୍ମାଙ୍କ ଶାନ୍ତି ପାଇଁ ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରୁଛି। ଓଁ ଶାନ୍ତି 🙏
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) September 8, 2025
BJD president and LoP Patnaik expressed sorrow stating, “I am deeply saddened to learn about the demise of senior BJD leader, Nuapada MLA, and former minister Rajendra Dholakia. He was always at the forefront in strengthening the party’s organization and raising his voice for the rights of the people. His passing is an irreparable loss for the party. His contributions to public service will always remain memorable.”
Patnaik also extended his condolences to the bereaved family members of the departed leader.
Deputy CM Singh Deo described Dholakia as a “towering figure” whose legacy was defined by his commitment to the people of western Odisha. He extended his condolences to the family, colleagues, and the people of Nuapada.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Rajendra Dholakia Ji, former Minister and four-time MLA from Nuapada. A towering figure in Odisha’s public life, his legacy is defined by unwavering service, grassroots leadership, and a profound commitment to the people of western Odisha. I pray to Mahaprabhu Jagannath to grant his noble soul eternal peace and a place at His divine feet. My heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, and the people of Nuapada,” Deo wrote on his X handle.
Dholakia, a four-time MLA from the Nuapada assembly constituency, served as an independent candidate from 2004 to 2009. Later, he was elected to the Assembly from the same constituency as a BJD candidate during 2009-2014, 2019 to 2024. He was again elected to the assembly for the fourth time in the 2024 assembly elections.
He was Minister of State for Planning and Convergence department from June 5, 2022, to June 3, 2024.
