Tarun Gogoi, who had served as the 13th Chief Minister of Assam from 2001 to 2016 passed away on Monday, due to post-Covid complications which led to multiple organ failure. He was 86. The Congress veteran was being treated at the Gauhati Medical College Hospital. He had tested positive for Coronavirus in August and was being given plasma therapy when his health deteriorated on Saturday. He completed 15 years as the longest-serving Chief Minister of Assam on 18 May 2016. The news of Gogoi’s demise was confirmed by Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Health Minister of Assam.
“Tarun Gogoi was a people’s leader who had a great contribution to Assam’s political and public sphere. Even though we were in Opposition parties, we shared a wonderful rapport and he was a guiding figure. My deepest condolences to his family and well-wishers. I express heartfelt condolences on the demise of former Chief Minister, a tall leader & our most respected Tarun Gogoi da. It’s the end of an era in Assam’s public life. He was so vibrant and full of life until a few days back, couldn’t believe this sad news,” Sarbananda Sonowal, the Chief Minister of Assam tweeted, adding that he’s returning to Guwahati having cancelled his programmes in Dibrugarh.
The mortal remains of the former CM will be placed at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakhetra in Guwahati, for the public to pay homage to Congress stalwart. Tarun Gogoi is survived by wife Dolly Gogoi, daughter Chandrima Gogoi and son Gaurav Gogoi, a member of parliament from Kaliabar.
“Shri Tarun Gogoi was a true Congress leader. He devoted his life to bringing all the people and communities of Assam together. For me, he was a great and wise teacher. I loved and respected him deeply. I will miss him. My love and condolences to Gaurav & the family,” Rahul Gandhi, the Congress MP from Wayanad tweeted.
