Former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi passes away in Guwahati

Tarun Gogoi was undergoing treatment at Assam's Gauhati Medical College Hospital for post-COVID complications.

Former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi died on Monday in Guwahati, said state Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The 84-year-old veteran Congress leader is survived by his wife Dolly, daughter Chandrima and son Gaurav.

Gogoi, a three-time chief minister, breathed his last at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital at 5.34 pm, Sarma said. He 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.

Gogoi was the MLA from the Titabor assembly constituency since 2001. He was also a six-time parliamentarian and a Union minister twice.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, among other leaders condoled the death of Gogoi.

PM Modi said, "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."

The President said, "Extremely sad to know of the demise of Shri Tarun Gogoi, former Chief Minister of Assam. The country has lost a veteran leader with rich political and administrative experience. His long tenure in office was a period of epochal change in Assam. 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."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "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."

"Anguished by the demise of Assam’s former Chief Minister, Shri Tarun Gogoi ji. Blessed with a warm personality he made notable contribution to Assam’s development and public life. My heartfelt condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti!" tweeted Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The Assam CM said, "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."

"Very sad & extremely painful to hear about the tragic demise of very loving and senior leader of our country and ex-CM of Assam, Tarun Gogoi Dada. May God bless the noble soul and provide strength to the whole family. I'll forever cherish the special moments with him," tweeted Rijiju.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee tweeted, "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."

Gogoi's 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 the past few hours and it was stated to be "very very critical".

The octogenarian leader was undergoing treatment at the Gauhati Medical College Hospital for post-COVID complications and was being monitored by a team of nine doctors, GMCH Superintendent Abhijit Sarma had said. 

"The present status of Sir (Gogoi) is very very critical and the doctors are doing their best. The former CM's condition is extremely critical and worrisome. He is completely on life support and though doctors are trying, now God's blessings and peoples' prayers are required to improve his current condition," Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is at GMCH along with Gogoi's son Gaurav, had said.

Sarma had told PTI that Gogoi's organs failed with the brain receiving some signals, eyes were showing some reflexes and his heart was functioning as a pace-maker is fitted, but no other organs were functioning.

Gogoi, who was on dialysis on November 22 for six hours, was again flushed with toxins but he was not in a position to undergo the process again, the minister told PTI.

Earlier, taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, CM Sonowal said that he cancelled his programmes midway to be on the side of Gogoi and his family. He tweeted, "Flying back to Guwahati from Dibrugarh after cancelling my programmes midway to be on the side of respected Tarun Gogoi da & his family as the former CM's health deteriorates. He has always been a father figure to me. I join millions in praying for his recovery."

CM Sonowal had directed the health department to provide every possible treatment to him. The doctors attending on Gogoi were in constant touch with a team from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), led by Randip Guleria.

Gogoi was put on ventilation after suffering a multi-organ failure. The 84-year-old three-time chief minister was admitted to GMCH on November 2. He was put under invasive ventilation on Saturday night when his condition worsened.

On October 25, Gogoi, who was undergoing treatment for COVID-19 and other post-recovery complications, was discharged from GMCH after two months. He had tested positive for COVID-19 on August 25 and admitted to the GMCH the next day.