Former Odisha Minister Anand Acharya dies at 77

Veteran BJD leader, former Odisha Minister Anand Acharya passed away at Apollo Hospital in Bhubaneswar at the age of 77. He was suffering several ailments. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik personally visited the Apollo Hospital to console the bereaved family. Anand Acharya was the elder brother of senior BJD leader Prasanna Acharya.

Born on February 2, 1938 at Bargarh, Anand Acharya was the son of late Krutartha Acharya. He was elected from Bargarh Assembly segment in 1998, 2000 and 2004. He served as a Minister in Naveen Patnaik’s Cabinet from 2000 till 2004.

His son Debesh Acharya is currently the MLA of Bargarh. He made his electoral debut in 2014 polls and won the elections although his uncle Prasanna Acharya suffered a shock defeat from Bijepur.

Several Ministers, including Excise and Cooperation minister Damodar Rout, Revenue and Disaster Management minister Bijayshree Routray, Health & Family welfare and I&PR Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Steel and Mines minister Prafulla Mallick, Food Supply and Consumer Welfare minister Sanjay Dasburma, Panchayati Raj and Law minister Arun Sahu and Textiles and Handloom minister Snehangini Chhuria, have condoled the demise of Anand Acharya. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan too expressed grief at Anand Acharya’s demise.