Guwahati: Former Chief Minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi breathed his last at 5.34 PM on November 23 at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). He was put on ventilator support as his health condition deteriorated.
The 86-year-old Congress leader was hospitalised for two months since August 25 as he tested positive for COVID-19. However, he was discharged on October 25 after he tested negative. The government deputed a team of doctors to take his care at his official residence as the veteran leader was showing post-recovery complications.
Gogoi was readmitted to GMCH on November 2 after he complained of breathing problems. However, on November 3, the GMCH doctors said that he was out of danger.
Gogoi was rushed back to GMCH on Wednesday night (November 18). On Thursday, the GMCH Superintendent, Dr Abhijit Sarma informed that Gogoi was stable, however, his condition deteriorated.
Veteran leader of Congress, Gogoi was born on October 11, 1934, at Rangajan Tea Estate in Jorhat district of Assam. He did his primary schooling from No. 26 Rangajan Nimna Buniyadi Vidyalaya and then moved to Jorhat Madrassa School, where he studied up to class IV. He then moved to Bholaguri High School near Badulipara Tea Estate where he studied till class VI. Gogoi passed his HSLC examination from Jorhat Government High School.
The longest-serving CM of Assam, Gogoi completed his graduation from Jagannath Barooah College, Jorhat, and completed his LLB from Gauhati University.
He started his political career in 1969, as a ward member of Jorhat Municipality. Later in 1971, he was elected as a Member of Parliament. He served six terms as MP till 2001 from Koliabor. He served as the Chief Minister of the state from 2001 to 2016.
Gogoi became a political leader of national stature after he was elected as the Joint Secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in 1976 under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He was the president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) from 1986 to 1990. He also served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly from 1986 to 2001.
Gogoi is survived by son Gaurav Gogoi, MP from Kaliabor Constituency, daughter Chandrima Gogoi, wife Dolly Gogoi, daughter-in-law Elizabeth Colburn Gogoi, and grandchildren.