Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi passes away

Former Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi passed away on November 23, 2020. He was 86. 

The news of his passing was shared by Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The Former CM breathed his last at 5.34 pm at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).

Gogoi's health had started deteriorating last Monday. He had tested positive for COVID-19 in August. The veteran Congress Party leader was on a ventilator since November 21 after suffering a multi-organ failure. He was also on dialysis. 

Former Assam CM and Congress leader Tarun Gogoi ( in file photo) passes away in Guwahati, announces state health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma pic.twitter.com/UBn3AS2CEF

— ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2020

As per Himanta Biswa Sarma, former CM Tarun Gogoi had been undergoing treatment at GMCH after he was infected with the COVID-19 infection. He had developed many complications post COVID-19 and his condition deteriorated even further today. 

President of India Ram Nath Kovind's official twitter handle posted saying that the country has lost a veteran leader with rich political and administrative experience. The post further read that Gogoi's passing away marks the end of an era. 

He will always be remembered for the development of Assam and especially towards his efforts to improve law and order and fighting insurgency in the state. His passing away marks the end of an era. In this hour of grief, condolences to his family, friends and supporters.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 23, 2020

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his anguish on Gogoi's passing through a twitter post, calling the late leader a popular veteran administrator, who had years of political experience in Assam as well as the Centre.

Shri Tarun Gogoi Ji was a popular leader and a veteran administrator, who had years of political experience in Assam as well as the Centre. Anguished by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and supporters in this hour of sadness. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/H6F6RGYyT4

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 23, 2020

Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi also tweeted to pay his condolences to the late leader's family. He wrote saying that Shri Tarun Gogoi was a true Congress leader, who devoted his life to bringing all the people and communities of Assam together. 

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. pic.twitter.com/jTMfSyAJ6J

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 23, 2020

Details

The former Assam CM had tested positive for COVID-19 on August 25 and was admitted to Guwahati Medical College and Hospital. He was discharged almost after two months on October 25, after undergoing treatment for COVID-19 and other post-recovery complications.

On October 26, the former CM had thanked the medical team at GMCH including the specialists, doctors, nurses, staff, for their excellent care for the past two months. He had said that he looked forward to continuing his recovery at home under medical supervision.

The 84-year-old was admitted to GMCH again on November 2, a week after he was discharged from the hospital. He was put on non-invasive ventilation since November 2 but was put under invasive ventilation on November 21. He was breathing almost entirely with the help of machines.

Tarun Gogoi: Political Journey

•Tarun Gogoi was a member of the Indian National Congress and led the party to a record three consecutive electoral victories in Assam.  He had served as the Chief Minister of Assam for three terms from 2001 to 2016. 

•He was longest-serving Chief Minister of Assam, completing record 15 consecutive years as Chief Minister of Assam in May 2016.

•Overall, he served six terms as a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Lok Sabha, first representing Jorhat constituency from 1971–85 and later Kaliabor from 1991–96 and then 1998–2002. The Kaliabor seat is now held by his son Gaurav Gogoi.

•He had risen to national prominence when he was elected as Joint Secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in 1976 under the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

•He had later served as the General Secretary of the AICC between 1985–90 under Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.[

•He had served as Union Minister of State in the Food and Food Processing Industry departments from 1991-96 under the then PM P V Narasimha Rao's cabinet.  

•He later served four terms as a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) in the legislature of Assam, first representing Margherita constituency from 1996–98 and later Titabar constituency since 2001.

•In July 2014, Gogoi indicated that he might not lead the party in the 2016 Assembly elections.