Noted socialist leader and former Lok Sabha speaker Rabi Ray passed away at a Hospital in Cuttack today. The 91 year old leader was hospitalised several days ago with age-related complaints.
Born at Bhanragarh village in Khurda district of Odisha on November 26, 1926, Mr Ray was the Union minister of health and family welfare in the Morarji Desai ministry from January 1979 to January 1980 and the speaker of ninth Lok Sabha from 1989-1991.
In 1991, he was re-elected to the 10th Lok Sabha from Kendrapada in Odisha. He was also a former chairman of Common Wealth Speakers Forum. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condoled Ray’s death and described him as a veteran socialist leader. In a statement, he said, as a Lok Sabha Speaker, Mr Ray had established a rich tradition in the conduct of the House.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the death of former Lok Sabha Speaker Rabi Ray. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, Mr Ray made a mark as a committed leader and respected Parliamentarian. The Prime Minister also offered his condolences.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has also condoled the demise of former Lok Sabha Speaker Rabi Ray. In her message, Ms Mahajan said, he was a senior leader with deep commitment to the welfare of the people and was endowed with inherent simplicity and had deep faith in humanist ideals and democratic ethos.
She said, as the Speaker of Lok Sabha, Mr Ray conducted the proceedings of the House with ease, affability, simplicity and upheld prestige and dignity of the Chair.