Updated: November 23, 2020 9:06:10 pm
The three-time Assam CM and congressional veteran Tarun Gogoi passed away on Monday. He was 84 years old.
The Congress party paid an enthusiastic tribute to the party veteran and former Prime Minister of Assam, Tarun Gogoi who died on Monday while undergoing treatment for complications after Covid-19.
In a tweet, the party recalled Gogoi’s “dedication to the development and unity of his people and his state” that has “inspired many generations of indigenous people.”
Congressional leaders across the country condoled the disappearance of Gogoi, who assumed various positions within the party throughout his more than 50-year political career.
In expressing his condolences in a letter to Gogoi’s wife, Dolly, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh referred to Gogoi as “one of my dearest friends from the state of Assam.”
“With his hard work, personable nature and popularity, he became one of the highest leaders in the state, who led the Congress party in Assam for a long time. With his death, our country has lost a very good leader who always worked for the betterment of the poor and oppressed in society, ”Singh wrote.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh mourns the death of the veteran leader of Congress and former Prime Minister of Assam, Tarun Gogoi. @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/TzoghQjMqU
– Manoj CG (@ manojcg4u) November 23, 2020
The party’s leader, Rahul Gandhi, recalled Gogoi as a “true leader of Congress” and a “great and wise teacher.”
“Shri Tarun Gogoi was a true leader of Congress. He dedicated his life to uniting all the people and communities of Assam. For me, he was a great and wise teacher. I loved him and respected him deeply. I will miss it. My love and condolences to Gaurav and the family, ”Gandhi tweeted.
Shri Tarun Gogoi was a true leader of Congress. He dedicated his life to uniting all the people and communities of Assam.
For me, he was a great and wise teacher. He loved and respected him deeply.
I will miss it. My love and condolences to Gaurav and the family. pic.twitter.com/jTMfSyAJ6J
– Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 23, 2020
For the Assam congress, led by Ripun Bora, Gogoi’s disappearance was a “personal loss.” “It was a mentor and a great leader. Today, the nation has lost a visionary leader with rich political and administrative experience, ”he said.
In addition to being a CM three times, Gogoi was a MP six times and was Union Minister twice. He also served as Deputy Secretary of the All India Congressional Committee in 1976 and Chairman of the Assam Pradesh Congressional Committee from 1986 to 1991.
Remembering Tarun Gogoi: his rare photos from the Express archives
The opposition leader in Rajya Sabha Ghulam, Nabi Azad, called Gogoi a “strong pillar of Congress in Assam.”
“Deeply saddened by the passing of the veteran leader of Congress, Sh Tarun Gogoi. He was CM of Assam three times and a member of Lok Sabha for 6 terms. A soft-spoken person and a capable administrator, he was a strong pillar of Congress in Assam and dedicated his entire life to serving the people, ”Azad tweeted, along with a photo of him with the stalwart.
Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram also paid tribute to Gogoi, calling him “wise advice for the leadership of the Congress Party who mentored many young leaders and prepared them to assume leadership in many areas of life” and the Congressional leader Jairam Ramesh hailed him as the one who rescued Assam from bankruptcy and transformed the state during his 15 years as prime minister.
‘A popular leader’: Prime Minister Modi remembers Tarun Gogoi
Gogoi led Congress to a record three consecutive electoral victories in Assam in 2001, 2006 and 2011, and served as the state’s prime minister for 15 years (2001-2016), becoming the oldest CM in the state.
In the 2016 Assembly elections in Assam, although the BJP together with its allies defeated the Congressional government, Gogoi managed to win in the Assembly constituency of Titabar.
Monday, Gogoi exhaled his last at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). The leading veteran was first admitted to the hospital on August 26 after testing positive for COVID-19 and was discharged for a brief period before being admitted again on November 2. His condition deteriorated on November 21, after a multi-organ failure and was invasive ventilation.
Gogoi is survived by his wife Dolly, daughter Chandrima, and son Gaurav, who is a member of Lok Sabha.
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