Bhubaneswar: Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and former minister Prafulla Samal was hospitalised in the Odisha capital here after he complained of health complications on Friday.

Samal (78) was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a private hospital in the capital city. His condition is stated to be serious. 

As per the direction of BJD supremo and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, a delegation of the regional party visited the hospital and enquired about Samal’s health.

The BJD delegation also met the doctors and urged them to ensure proper treatment to the former minister.

The BJD president also wished for Samal’s early recovery.

The veteran leader had been appointed as the state president of Biju Shramika Samukhya, the workers’ front of the party, in 2024. 

However, Samal’s two sons—Prayaskanti and Pranitkanti—and his sister Urmila Nayak joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state last year.

The seasoned politician had been elected to the Odisha Assembly in 1990, 1995, 2009,2014 and 2019 polls in the state.

Samal had unsuccessfully contested the 2024 Assembly polls from Bhadrak constituency.