Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Anjan Dutta passed away on Thursday morning at the AIIMS here following cardiac failure.
Mr. Dutta, 64, was admitted to the hospital on May 18, and was under treatment at the department of Pulmonary Sciences. He was initially admitted to the Apollo Hospital in New Delhi on May 12 with complaints of severe chest infection.
He died due to cardiac failure at 7:11 on Thursday morning, Mr. Dutta’s close relative Geetartha Darshan Baruah said. The Congress leader leaves behind his wife and three daughters, one of whom unsuccessfully contested the recent Assembly elections in Assam.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had met him on May 25.
Mr. Dutta, a close confidante of former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, was a Cabinet Minister handling several departments, including transport, in the State in the past.
He was appointed APCC president on December 13, 2014, and had been holding the post ever since.
Death condoled
Condolences poured with the Assam government, party colleagues and others saying he will be fondly remembered for reviving the State’s transport service.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in his condolence said Mr. Dutta’s death was an irreparable loss to Assam.
“People will always remember his dedication, contribution and his role in upholding the democracy. He worked with integrity and very efficiently during his tenure as Minister.
He was also actively involved with various newspapers and magazines,” Mr. Sonowal said in a statement.
Former party colleague and now Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed shock over Mr. Dutta’s death.
In a series of tweets, Mr. Sarma said ” ... a spirited leader who dedicated himself to people. As a Transport Minister in 1st Gogoi’s govt. He tried to revive sick Assam State Transport Corporation and succeeded to a great extent. His contribution toward development of Sibsagar and Amguri will be remembered by all. I offer my deep condolence to his family. RIP.”
Mr. Dutta’s long-time close associate and former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said: “We are very sad about his untimely demise. He was very young. It is a big loss not only to the Congress, but for Assam politics and society as we have lost a brilliant politician. In today’s time, his role is more desired to strengthen the Congress party. Mr. Dutta worked very hard and played important roles even during the bad times and never left the party in severe crisis like in Assam agitation period,” he added.
Mr. Gogogi said Mr. Dutta’s leadership was very promising and as a Minister, he was very successful. He revived the transport department completely. Besides, he was a good journalist.
Mr. Dutta gave morale boost to Congress workers even during his last days from the hospital bed and asked them to work for the party, he added.— PTI
