COVID-19 positive BJD leader Pradeep Maharathy put on ventilator support

Senior BJD leader and Pipili MLA Pradeep Maharathy, who had tested positive for COVID-19, was put on ventilator support after his health condition deteriorated, the ruling party in Odisha said on Saturday. Maharathy is among the 51 lawmakers of the state to have contracted the virus. Meanwhile, Patnaik also congratulated Shehnaz Begum, a nonagenarian from Sambalpur, on recovering from COVID-19.

Senior BJD leader and Pipili MLA Pradeep Maharathy, who had tested positive for COVID-19, was put on ventilator support after his health condition deteriorated, the ruling party in Odisha said on Saturday. Maharathy, also a former minister, tested positive on September 14.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has spoken to his family members and prayed for the lawmaker's speedy recovery, a BJD statement said. Maharathy is among the 51 lawmakers of the state to have contracted the virus.

Meanwhile, Patnaik also congratulated Shehnaz Begum, a nonagenarian from Sambalpur, on recovering from COVID-19. "Her victory over the deadly disease symbolises Odisha's resilience in the face of adversity," he added.