Senior BJP leader and former MLA Mohammad Rafiq passed away Friday at the age of 71 at a private hospital in Odisha’s Bargarh district, party sources confirmed.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has expressed deep grief over his demise.
In his post on X, Shri Majhi wrote,
“Deeply saddened to learn about the demise of our senior party leader and former MLA, Shri Mohammad Rafiq. Late Rafiq was a simple, unassuming, popular organiser and dedicated politician. He was also the State President of the BJP Minority Morcha and Vice President of the Sohela Durga Puja Committee. His demise is an irreparable loss for us. His long service to the people will always be remembered. I pray for the eternal peace of the departed soul and express my condolences to the bereaved family”.
ଆମ ଦଳର ବରିଷ୍ଠ ନେତା ତଥା ପୂର୍ବତନ ବିଧାୟକ ଶ୍ରୀ ମହମ୍ମଦ ରଫିକ୍ଙ୍କ ବିୟୋଗ ବିଷୟରେ ଜାଣି ଗଭୀର ଦୁଃଖିତ। ସ୍ୱର୍ଗତଃ ରଫିକ୍ ଜଣେ ସରଳ, ଅମାୟିକ, ଲୋକପ୍ରିୟ ସଂଗଠକ ଓ ସମର୍ପିତ ରାଜନେତା ଥିଲେ । ସେ ବିଜେପି ସଂଖ୍ୟାଲଘୁ ମୋର୍ଚ୍ଚାର ରାଜ୍ୟ ସଭାପତି ଓ ସୋହେଲା ଦୁର୍ଗାପୂଜା କମିଟିର ଉପସଭାପତି ମଧ୍ୟ ଥିଲେ। ତାଙ୍କର ପରଲୋକ ଆମ ପାଇଁ ଏକ… pic.twitter.com/TXu4PRsi71
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) June 6, 2025
Rafiq, who was elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly from the Melchamunda constituency in 2004, was a respected figure in the state’s political landscape. His contributions extended beyond politics, as he also held the position of vice-president at the Sohela Durgapuja Committee.
Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal expressed deep sorrow at Rafiq’s passing, remembering him as a leader cherished by the people for his simplicity and dedication. BJP State General Secretary (Organisation) Manas Kumar Mohanty also conveyed his grief, highlighting Rafiq’s impact on the party’s Minority Front.
Condolences have poured in from across the political spectrum, with leaders acknowledging his commitment to public service.
