Koraput: Former Odisha minister Padmini Dian has been hospitalised due to suspected food poisoning, which claimed the life of one of her family members last evening.
According to sources, Padmini, her mother-in-law Rambati Dian (57), sister-in-law Parbati Majhi, and relative Shanti Chalan (30) began vomiting and fell seriously ill shortly after having lunch at her residence in Kotpad at around 2 pm.
Padmini and her family members were initially admitted to the Kotpad Community Health Centre from where they were referred to Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital in Koraput as their condition worsened despite medical intervention. However, they had to be admitted to Jeypore District Headquarters Hospital on their way to Koraput as their condition deteriorated. Parbati Majhi, however, succumbed here during treatment.
Later, the remaining three were admitted to the Medical College for advanced care. While Rambati Dian is on oxygen support, the condition of Padmini and Shanti has improved, according to hospital sources.
Preliminary reports suggest a dish prepared with dried bamboo shoots (locally known as kuade ambil), which the family had with rice, could have led to food poisoning.
Padmini Dian, a senior leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), had served as the Minister for Textiles, Handlooms, and Handicrafts in the Odisha government led by Naveen Patnaik in 2019.