Former Assam CM Tarun Gogoi dies at 84

Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi succumbed to post-COVID-19 complications on Monday (November 23). The 84-year-old leader had tested positive for COVID-19 back in August. He was undergoing treatment at Gauhati Medical College Hospital.

Gogoi is survived by his wife Dolly, daughter Chandrima and son Gaurav, a Lok Sabha MP. The three-time chief minister was completely on life support before he breathed his last at 5:34 PM.

The doctors conducted an ECG and found that his heart has stopped, following which the GMCH superintendent confirmed that he is no more, said Assam Health Minister Himanta
Biswa Sarma.

Obit | Tarun Gogoi: Low-profile ‘Delhi leader’ who made his presence felt in Assam

In a last ditch attempt to revive him, his own speeches and those of former prime minister Indira Gandhi, and songs of Bhupen Hazarika were played to him early morning using head phone, sources said.

The veteran Congress leader was first admitted to the hospital on August 26 after testing positive for COVID-19 and was released for a brief period before being admitted again on
November 2. His condition deteriorated on November 21, following multi-organ failure and was put on invasive ventilation.

Gogoi was given dialysis on Sunday. His condition deteriorated further over past few hours and it was stated to be “very very critical”. He was the MLA from the Titabor assembly seat since 2001. He was also a six-time parliamentarian and Union minister twice.

His body will be taken to his residence in Dispur and from there, it will be taken to the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra where people can pay their homage to the leader on Tuesday, said Sarma, a former cabinet colleague of Gogoi. He will be cremated with full state honours and the venue will be decided in consultation with his family, he added.

Earlier in the day, after being told about the deteriorating condition of Gogoi’s health, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had flown back to Guwahati from Dibrugarh after cancelling his programmes midway to be on the side of the Congress leader’s family.

Sonowal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined other leaders and citizens in condoling Gogoi’s death:

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. pic.twitter.com/GFiAsmc4FB

— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) November 23, 2020

Tarun Gogoi was a people's leader who had great contribution in 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. @GauravGogoiAsm pic.twitter.com/5x41EFwyuy

— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) November 23, 2020

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

Anguished to learn about the passing away of veteran leader and former Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Tarun Gogoi ji. May almighty give his family the strength to bear this tragic loss. My condolences with his family and followers. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 23, 2020

The loss of Shri Tarun Gogoi is huge & his absence will mean a vacuum in Assam's politics that shall be difficult to fill.

I offer my condolences to the bereaved family & pray to God to give his soul eternal peace.

Om Shanti.#TributeTarunGogoi@tarun_gogoi @GauravGogoiAsm pic.twitter.com/32bBFXK5Lm

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 23, 2020

A man of grand vision & extraordinary passion, Sri Tarun Gogoi was an intensely people's man, focused on progress & enjoyed support of all . I was lucky to have worked under him. He rescued Assam from a period of darkness & led it for 15 yrs ensuring a new phase of development pic.twitter.com/Ans8UUgNFs

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 23, 2020

Deeply pained by the unfortunate demise of former CM Assam Tarun Gogoi Ji. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. May his soul rest in peace.

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 23, 2020

Saddened to hear about the passing away of veteran leader and former Chief Minister of Assam for 3 terms, Tarun Gogoi Ji. My deepest condolences to his family, followers and well-wishers

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 23, 2020