**Bhubaneswar:** Former Minister and senior Congress leader breathed his last in a capital city private hospital early today morning. The veteran leader was suffering from Septicemia and passed away at 72 years of age.
Harihar Karan had been elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly from Daspalla constituency in Nayagarh four times as a Congress candidate (2000, 1985, 1980, 1977) and once as an independent in 1974. Born in 1947, he got involved in student politics. He became a leader of the students’ union while studying at Madhusudan Law College in Cuttack from 1968 till 1971.
![](https://ommcomnews.com/file/image/original/6603888021549256968856402103-01.JPG)
He was appointed the Minister during the Chief Ministership of Janaki Ballabh Patnaik and held important post in the Food and Cooperation department. He became the Health and Family Welfare Minister at the Centre in 1980.
He also held important posts in Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC). He was the General Secretary of Odisha Congress and led the Disciplinary committee in 2013. He also worked as a member of All India Congress Committee(AICC).
His demise has spread an air of sadness in the political circle and several leaders rushed to his residence in Nayagarh to pay last respects to the departed soul.