Cuttack, April 12 -- Former Odisha Minister and three-time Bhograi MLA Kamala Das passed away at a private hospital here, late last night. She was 79.

As per family sources, she complained of illness at her residence in Saheed Nagar, Bhubaneswar two weeks ago, following which she was admitted to Apollo Hospital in the capital city.

After being diagnosed with lung infection, she was shifted to the Ashwini Hospital in Cuttack, 12 days ago.

Das was on ventilator at the hospital for the last three days while she died at around 12.30 pm.

She was elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly three times as she had successfully contested elections in 1990 as Janata Dal candidate, again in 1995 as Janata Dal nominee, and in 2000 as BJD candidate...