Umesh Chandra Swain, four-time former Balikuda MLA, passed away at his residence here on Wednesday morning. He was 74.
Swain died of cardiac arrest, family sources said. His last rites will be performed at his native Machhagaon village in Jagatsinghpur district.
He was elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly from the Balikuda constituency in 1977 as Janata Party candidate, in 1990 as Janata Dal nominee and in 2000 2004 as Congress candidate. A close aide of former Chief Minister late Biju Patnaik, Swain played a major role in the development of Jagatsinghpur district. He was a household name in the area due to his relief and restoration-related activities in the region during floods and cyclones.