Tarun Gogoi, a man for all seasons, passes away aged 86

GUWAHATI: After a 2-month long battle for his life, 3-time former Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi on Monday breathed his last at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in the state’s capital city aged 86. The veteran leader, who was suffering from post-COVID complications, died after ‘multiple organ failure’ at 5:34 pm.

According to sources, there will be a State Funeral for the former Chief Minister and a tent is being erected at his residence. His body will be kept for 2 days at the Shrimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra where people can pay their last respect to the departed soul.

On November 21, Gogoi was admitted to GMCH where he was under observation by a team of doctors which includes Abhijit Sarma, the Superintendent of the medical college, Dr. Nijara Devi, who is a resident doctor and was with former CM since the year 2010, and Haren Basumatary, who was with Gogoi since 1995 served him relentlessly.

Gogoi was put on invasive ventilation on Saturday night as his condition deteriorated.

Nijara Devi, Gogoi's doctor, said "Tarun Gogoi was a down to earth person and knew how to connect with people. Gogoi knew how to treat people with respect irrespective of who they are."

Gogoi's family members -- including his son Gaurav Gogoi (who is a Lok Sabha MP) and daughter Chandrima reached the hospital.

Meanwhiile, several senior political leaders have reached the GMCH to pay their last respects to Gogoi, who was immensely popular due to his colourful personality as well as quick wit.

ALSO READ: Tarun Gogoi on ‘total life support’, needs divine intervention for recovery: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Earlier in the afternoon, Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed that former CM was on “total life support” and his condition was “very very critical.”

It needs mention here that Tarun Gogoi tested positive for the virus on August 25, and was admitted to the GMCH the next day and was given a blood plasma transplant. Gogoi was treated for 20 days and finally tested negative. Gogoi’s existing co-morbidities and advanced age had made recovery slow.

He was once again admitted in the same hospital on September 24 following drop in his oxygen level, and was discharged in the last week of October.

Gogoi was born on April 1, 1934 into an Ahom family at Rangajan Tea Estate, then Sivasagar District, now the Jorhat District of Assam.

TARUN GOGOI'S POLITICAL CAREER:

Tarun Gogoi served six terms as a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Lok Sabha. He first represented Jorhat in 1971–85. Gogoi became a political leader with national stature after he was elected Joint Secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in 1976 under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He later served as General Secretary of the AICC (1985–90) under Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Gogoi served in the Union Cabinet of India under Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao as Union Minister of State in the Food and Food Processing Industry departments (1991–96).

Gogoi has since served four terms as a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) in the legislature of Assam. He first represented Margherita constituency in the legislature in 1996–98. Gogoi has represented the Titabar constituency since 2001.

Tarun Gogoi was elected Chief Minister of Assam in 2001 after he led the Indian National Congress to victory in the state elections.

He also led the party to a record three consecutive electoral victories in the state as Chief Minister.

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