Rest in Peace Tarun Gogoi: Remembering the titan of Assam Politics

GUWAHATI: Tarun Gogoi (1936-2020), the longest-reigning Chief Minister of the State, has been dubbed as a "farsighted statesman" who heralded a prosperous era in Assam that saw the economy and politics of the state inch forward while erasing the forgettable legacies of his predecessors. Gogoi was respected across the party lines for his signature wit, clever one-liners and that memorable "baad dia hey" (just leave it). Beneath the humour and the wit, there lay a man who was deeply committed towards ushering in peace and development in Assam and Gogoi's 15 years as the Chief Minister saw relative peace and economic prosperity in Assam which had been previously torn apart by insurgents and separatist forces still lurked in the Assam.

In spite of the challenges, however, Gogoi was able to earn the trust of the 3 crore Assamese citizens and before anti-incumbency brought about its downfall, raise the Congress party's standing in Assam.

Gogoi, who served several terms as a Member of Parliament (he was first elected in 1971), made a comeback to Assam's political hemisphere in 1996, after rubbing shoulders with the top guns of the Indian National Congress (INC).

Groomed under veterans such as Devakanta Barooah, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, and Indira Gandhi, Gogoi was eventually elevated as the General Secretary of the party during Rajiv Gandhi's tenure.

ALSO READ: “Tarun Gogoi would bite his lower lip whenever he was angry”: Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi recalls fond memories of ex-CM

HOW TARUN GOGOI REVIVED ASSAM'S FINANCES:

When Tarun Gogoi assumed charge as the Chief Minister of Assam, the state's economy was in the doldrums and there was huge flight of capital. However, Gogoi, not to be bogged down, stood firm and fought his way out with a slew of economic schemes and political acumen that slowly steadied the sinking ship that was the Assam economy.

When Gogoi became the Chief Minister, there was a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government at the Centre. Still, Gogoi was able to extract funds for developmental purposes. Nagaon Lok Sabha MP Pradyut Bordoloi, recalling Gogoi's tact in handling the Central Government during his first few years as the Chief Minister, said, "When Gogoi took over, Assam was practically bankrupt, and the coffers were empty. However, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was very magnanimous and Gogoi convinced him that this was the way to bring Assam into the mainstream. Thankfully, Vajpayee gave the olive branch due to Gogoi's tact and released the funds."

Bipul Gogoi, the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) of Gogoi informed that the per capita income of the State also witnessed a boom during Gogoi’s reign — generally indicative of economic well-being.

Yesterday, paying tribute to the former Chief Minister, members of the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) dubbed Gogoi as a "democrat who worked to protect Assam's interests". Yes, during Gogoi's rule, it is widely believed that Assam, the land of laahe laahe (slowly slowly), became a bustling hub of economic activity. Gogoi, it may be recalled, by promoting the Self Help Groups (SHGs), empowered the womenfolk of the state. Assam's rural economy, in a pitiable state under the earlier administrations, shot up from Rs. 10,718 in 2001-02 to Rs. 22,081 in 2007-08.

ALSO READ: Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma pays respect to Tarun Gogoi in Guwahati

The focus, back then, was on improving road communication, and Gogoi placed special emphasis on constructing roads and concrete bridges so as to connect the various regions in the state. Notably, the 100 MW Karbi Langpi Hydel Project where 27 years were wasted in the name of construction.

Gogoi was also known for his dedication to empower the youth and usher in revolutionary reforms in the education system. To this end, the State Government of Assam also gave away computers to high school students for securing first division marks. Moreover, under Gogoi's rule, the State Government undertook an initiative to provide computers to every High School in the State.

During Gogoi's tenure, there was mostly peace in Assam -- a state that was once torn apart by insurgency and the mindsets of the people changed from one of depression to one of optimism.

Gogoi's push for agricultural reforms saw the Technology Mission on Agriculture boosted the state's horticulture industry and boosted incomes. The impact of that push is still being felt as Assam's agricultural industry continues to reap the benefits.

GOGOI'S PEACE KEEPING EFFORTS KEPT ASSAM TOGETHER:

Amid growing resentment in Assam, Tarun Gogoi made a massive breakthrough when leaders of the protracted Bodo Movement came together to sit down for round-table talks, at the end of which, the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) was formed under the Sixth Schedule. This more or less brought about an end to the violent movement in the Bodo heartland.

Creation of 6 autonomous councils for the Mishing, Tiwa, Rabha, Sonowal-Kachari, Deuri and Thengal Kachari also helped Gogoi earn the goodwill of the ethnic tribes and get their backing.

MAKING A CASE FOR ASSAM ON THE NATIONAL STAGE:

Time and again during his lengthy reign, Gogoi made a case to the Centre to allocate more funds for the development of the State. In one of his more forceful presentations to the Centre, while seeking higher financial assistance to Assam, then-CM Gogoi summed up, in a nutshell, the state's economic woes and its helplessness against the acts of nature such as floods. "The partition of the country made Assam a landlocked state with a small corridor connecting the mainland. The riverine transportation through Bangladesh (East Pakistan) stopped our access to Chittagong, Dhaka, and Kolkata -- the ports were denied. The trade and commerce with the neighbouring areas stopped with the demarcation international boundary. The cost of transportation of goods and services between the mainland make and Assam went up several times. This became a major deterrent for investors outside the region to invest in Assam."

Setting development as his prime agenda, Gogoi used economic development as a two-word mantra to solve most of Assam's problems. At one point, Gogoi called for a second Green Revolution. Highlighting the state's agricultural woes in his address to the National Development Council in 2002, Gogoi pointed out that 92% of the cultivable land in Assam is flood-prone.

Gogoi, during his representations to the Centre, time and again appealed that the recurring floods in Assam -- which kill dozens each year -- be treated as a "national problem." Gogoi once told former President APJ Abdul Kalam that the problem of floods should be addressed quickly as it is a "real tragedy for the State."

Gogoi, it needs mention here, also placed great emphasis on developing the state's infrastructure. Gogoi, during his reign, built many enduring and important structures. During one of his representations to Centre, the CM pleaded for the up-gradation of the facilities of the medical colleges in Dibrugarh, Guwahati, and Silchar. The State modern-day Secretariat building was also envisioned and built during Gogoi's reign.

The former chief minister and veteran Congress leader from Assam, Tarun Gogoi, passed away on Monday, 23 November due to post COVID-19 complications. One of Assam's tallest leaders, Gogoi was instrumental in making massive gains for the Congress party in Assam. The leader's last rites will be performed at the Navagraha Crematorium in Guwahati city today.

To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us HERE.

Download:                                                                  

The Inside Northeast app HERE for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.

Do keep following us for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.