Published 19:18 IST, November 23rd 2020
PM Modi anguished at ex-Assam CM Tarun Gogoi's demise; Ministers & BJP leaders pay tribute
On Monday, November 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief at the sad demise of veteran Congress leader and former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.
On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief at the sad demise of veteran Congress leader and former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Describing him as a "popular leader" and "veteran administrator", the PM recalled the vast political experience of the ex-Assam CM at the state level as well as the Centre. Thereafter, he extended his condolence to Gogoi's family members and supporters.
The news of senior Congress leader's demise was officially announced by Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. In his career spanning more than 5 decades, Gogoi served in several positions in the Congress party and the government. Moreover, he was the longest-serving Chief Minister of Assam from 2001 to 2016.
Post-COVID complications
The 84-year-old legislator from the Titabar Assembly constituency was among the 24 MLAs from the state to contract the novel coronavirus. After testing positive on August 25, he was admitted to the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital. While he was discharged from the hospital on October 25, the ex-Assam CM was again hospitalized with post-COVID complications and was put on non-invasive ventilation.
However, his health condition worsened on the afternoon of November 21 after a multi-organ failure and he was reportedly put on invasive ventilation by night. On November 22, the doctors performed dialysis on Gogoi after he was detected with a kidney problem. Earlier in the day, his condition deteriorated further and was described by doctors as "very very critical". While Sarma was already present at the hospital, Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal cancelled his engagements in Dibrugarh and flew back to Guwahati.
Ministers & other BJP leaders pay tribute
Several Cabinet Ministers including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and other BJP leaders such as Jay Panda and Ram Madhav paid tribute to Tarun Gogoi. Writing on Twitter, BJP MP Jyotiraditya Scindia wrote, "My deepest condolences to Tarun Gogoi who was Assam's CM for 15 years and worked for the state's development and progress. I pray to God that his soul should rest in peace and give strength to his family members to bear with this tragedy". Meanwhile, Union Minority Affairs Minister stated, "Demise of former Assam CM Tarun Gogoi Ji is an irreparable loss not only to the state but the country also. He dedicated his life towards empowerment of poor, weaker, downtrodden sections of Assam".
Updated 20:42 IST, November 23rd 2020