Bhubaneswar, Jan. 2 -- Former Congress legislator Akshaya Acharya, who represented the Nilgiri Assembly constituency twice, passed away late on Thursday night at the age of 78. He was undergoing treatment for cancer for a prolonged period, according to sources familiar with his medical condition.

Acharya's health reportedly deteriorated late last night at around 2 am, following which he was admitted to the Nilgiri hospital. He was later referred to Balasore after his condition worsened, where he was declared dead by doctors.

A senior leader of the Indian National Congress in Balasore district, Acharya served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Nilgiri during two non-consecutive terms, first from 1980 to 1985 and later from 1995...