Bhubaneswar: Veteran tribal leader and former deputy speaker of the state Assembly Prahalad Dora passed away, here on Wednesday. He was 74.
While undergoing treatment for old age ailments in the AIIMS in the city, Dora had tested positive for COVID-19. He breathed his last in the hospital, his family sources said.
Known for championing the cause of tribal people, Dora was born and brought up in Malkangiri district. He was elected to the Assembly thrice from Chitrakonda constituency in the district in 1977, 1990 and 2004 elections.
Dora held the office of the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly for twos terms in 1990 and 2004. He held the post from 1990 to 1955 in the Biju Patnaik ministry and from 2004 to 2009 during the BJD-BJP alliance government.