Bhubaneswar, April 20: Veteran Congress leader Nalini Kanta Mohanty passed away at a private hospital here today following prolonged illness. He was 63. He is survived by his wife, son and daughter.

Mohanty was admitted to hospital on October 10 last year following a brain haemorrhage. He was shifted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi. He was brought back here after few months and admitted to another hospital.

Cutting across party lines, political leaders, including Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, paid glowing tributes to Mohanty, who was popular for his amiable behaviour.

A prominent student leader, Mohanty joined active politics in 1969 and was elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly for a record seven times consecutively from Rajnagar since 1977. He was works, housing and urban development minister in the Biju Patnaik government during 1990-95. He also served in the Naveen’s government with the same portfolio during 2000-2001. Mohanty joined the Congress in 2004 and was re-elected to the Odisha Assembly on the party ticket.

Rajnagar and adjoining Mahakalpada assembly constituencies in Kendrapara plunged into deep mourning following Mohanty’s demise. Shops downed shutters at Rajnagar, Madanpur, Mahakalpada, Chapalligada and Ramnagar. Several other rural markets were also closed.

“Mohanty’s amiable and cordial nature had endeared him to all. He was a people’s leader in the true sense. His demise has created a void in public life,” said Bhagabat Prasad Mohanty, senior Congress leader and former minister.

“His greatest virtue lay in the fact that he used to come forward to help people regardless of political affiliation. His political opponents were envious of his bond with the public,” said BJD’s district wing president Krutibas Patra.