STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Assam's former Cabinet Minister Dr Ardhendu Kumar Dey breathed his last at the Assam Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) here on Wednesday due to a terminal illness. He was 84.
The former Congress leader, who later joined the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP), had been recently admitted to the GMCH for treatment.
Dey had served as Minister of Irrigation and Food & Civil Supplies during his stint in the Government.
Dey's mortal remains were taken to Hojai for the last rites. He had been first elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly from the Hojai constituency in 1991.
He was a member of the Congress and also an MLA between 1991 and 2006. After a gap, he was re-elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly in 2011. He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in April, 2021.
Dey had graduated from the University of Calcutta with an MBBS degree.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma offered his condolences at Dey's demise. He said, "Deeply saddened by the demise of veteran leader, former Minister and MLA of Hojai Dr Ardhendu Dey. In his long political career, he contributed immensely towards public welfare. My condolences to the bereaved family and prayers for the departed soul. Om Shanti!"
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhupen Kumar Borah and Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia also expressed their grief. Saikia said in a social media post that though they had political differences, no one could deny the contribution made by Dey to the Congress during the party's time of strife in the 1980s.
State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Bhabesh Kalita and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal also condoled Dey's demise.
Also Watch: