Tarun Gogoi, who served as Chief Minister of Assam three times, passed away on Monday aged 84 in Guwahati while undergoing treatment for post-COVID-19 complications. Mr Gogoi was the MLA from the Titabor assembly constituency since 2001. He was also a six-time parliamentarian and a Union minister twice.
Political leaders condoled his death. Here are the reactions:
'A popular leader,' says Narendra Modi
“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.”
Tarun Gogoi was one of my dearest friends from Assam: Manmohan Singh
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh on Monday described ex-chief minister Tarun Gogoi as one of his dearest friends from Assam and said the country has lost a very good leader who always worked for the betterment of the poor and downtrodden.
Gogoi died in Guwahati on Monday while undergoing treatment for post-COVID-19 complications. He was 84.
In his condolence message to the former Chief Minister’s wife Dolly Gogoi, Singh said he was the most popular leader from Assam who had a pleasant nature.
“I was deeply shocked and saddened by the untimely passing away of your beloved husband Shri Tarun Gogoi ji. He was one of my dearest friends from the state of Assam.
Shri Tarun Gogoi ji was the most popular leader from Assam who served six terms as a member of Parliament and has led the party to a record three consecutive electoral victories in the state of Assam as chief minister, Singh said in his letter.
“With his hard work, pleasant nature and popularity, he became one of the tallest leaders of the state, who led the Congress party in Assam for a long time. In his death our country, especially the state of Assam, has lost a very good leader who always worked for the betterment of the poor and downtrodden people of the society,” the former prime minister said.
Dr. Singh, who has been a Rajya Sabha member from Assam for five terms since 1991, conveyed his condolences to Gogoi’s family and prayed for his departed soul.
“We pray to the Almighty to give all of you the strength to bear this great loss with courage and fortitude,” he said.
His sense of humour, amiable and outspoken nature attracted everyone: Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal
“I am deeply saddened by the demise of former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. With his death, the State has lost an experienced, capable and efficient political leader,” Mr Sonowal said.
“His sense of humour, amiable and outspoken nature attracted everyone. He set high ethical values in the field of politics with his simple lifestyle and contributed profusely in strengthening democratic values in the country.”
He was an exemplar of walking on the middle path, shunning extremism on the left and the right: P. Chidambaram
Congress leader and former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram tweeted: "I am profoundly saddened — as are thousands of other people — by the passing away of the veteran leader and statesman Shri Tarun Gogoi. All his life was devoted to the service of the people of Assam and of the North East, including as Chief Minister of Assam.
"He was an exemplar of walking on the middle path, shunning extremism on the left and the right. That middle path brought remarkable progress and prosperity to Assam. I know personally his efforts to wean young men from militancy and bring them into mainstream of society.
"He was a wise counsel to the leadership of the Congress Party. He mentored many young leaders and groomed them to assume leadership in many walks of life, including politics and government. Shri Gogoi battled his age-related ailments with great courage. Unfortunately, we lost him today. His absence will be felt and mourned throughout the country.
"I offer my sincere condolences to the members of his family and the people of Assam."
He devoted his life to bringing all the people and communities of Assam together: Rahul Gandhi
"Shri Tarun Gogoi was a true Congress leader. He devoted his life to bringing all the people and communities of Assam together. For me, he was a great and wise teacher. I loved and respected him deeply.
"I will miss him. My love and condolences to Gaurav & the family," tweeted the Congress leader.
No wonder he was Assam’s most universally loved and venerated public figure: Sonia Gandhi
Congress president Sonia Gandhi: “Shri Tarun Gogoi was one of the tallest leaders of the Congress party, admired and respected for his extraordinary wisdom, vision and ability. With his long years of experience as an MLA, an MP, a Central Minister and Chief Minister of Assam, he was someone to whose unfailingly wise counsel and advice we could always turn to.
“For me, his loss is also a deeply personal one -- I cannot forget the warmth and care he showed on me on my many visits to Assam. During those visits, I saw how loved he was by all the many communities and people of Assam, how much he had done for them, and for their progress and welfare. No wonder he was Assam’s most universally loved and venerated public figure and the longest-serving Chief Minister of the state," she said. - PTI
Tarun Gogoi’s contribution to public service will always be remembered: Vice President
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday condoled the death of former Assam chief minister and Congress veteran Tarun Gogoi and said his contribution to public service will always be remembered.
“I am saddened by the death of former Assam chief minister and former Union minister Tarun Gogoi. In his long public life, he has faithfully served the people of the nation and the state in various capacities,” the Vice President Secretariat tweeted quoting Naidu.
Gogoi’s contribution to public service will always be remembered, Mr. Naidu said in a tweet in Hindi.
He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and friends.
His long tenure in office was a period of epochal change in Assam: President Kovind
President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted: "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: “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.” - PTI
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."
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor tweeted: "Deeply saddened by Tarun Gogoiji's passing. I had the privilege of knowing him for some 15 years & had the highest respect for him. I fondly recall his gracious welcome on my two visits to him in Assam. Profound condolences to @GauravGogoiAsm on his loss. We all share in his grief."
Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi : “I am deeply hurt by the death of veteran politician and former chief minister Tarun Gogoi. His death is an irreparable loss to the state as well as to the nation. As chief minister, Union minister and member of the Lok Sabha, late Gogoi served the people compassionately and dedicatedly. I whole-heartedly pray to the almighty for eternal peace of late Gogoi. His wonderful and gentle soul will forever remain in our hearts.” - PTI
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan tweeted: "Saddened by the demise of former Assam Chief Minister Shri Tarun Gogoi ji. My condolences to the Gogoi family. I pray to Almighty to bless his soul and give strength to the grieving family and his admirers."
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav tweeted: "Deeply saddened by the demise of veteran leader & former CM Assam Sh #TarunGogoi ji. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and loved ones."
