Senior Congress leader and a Lok Sabha member for a record nine times, Khagapati Pradhani passed away at his residence in Orissa's Nawrangpur district, family sources said today.

The 87-year-old is survived by four sons and three daughters.

Pradhani, who complained of chest pain, breathed last at his house last night.

Born on July 15, 1922 at Patrapur village under Tentulikhunti block in the undivided Koraput district, Pradhani was first elected to the fourth Lok Sabha from Nawrangpur segment in 1967 as a Congress candidate and never tasted defeat in his life.

In 1999, he voluntarily announced retirement from electoral battle, which at that time surprised many in the party circles. That year, Congress lost the prestigious Nabarangpur seat.

After completing higher education Padhani has initially joined police service, but soon left the job and entered in politics.

As an MP and Chairman of ST Committee of Parliament he worked for the benefit of the Scheduled Tribes community.