STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: A noted politician and former minister for multiple terms with different portfolios in the Assam Cabinet, Sarat Barkotoky, passed away today at the Gauhati Medical College Hospital, where he was admitted on October 16. He had age-related ailments.
The State Governor and several political leaders, irrespective of their political affiliations, paid their homage to the departed soul. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the last rites of Barkotoky would be performed with state honours at Sonari tomorrow.
Sarat Barkotoky was born on March 1, 1935, in Mathurapur, Sonari. His father was the late Hem Chandra Barkotoky, and his mother was the late Chandra Probha Barkotoky.
An active leader of the Congress party, he represented the Sonari constituency for five consecutive terms: 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, and 2011. During his tenure, he held multiple portfolios, including those of PWD and Education. He was associated with various political and cultural organizations. He served as the Vice Chairman of the State Planning Board and the Chairman of the Committee on Estimates, ALA.
His mortal remains were taken to his home in Guwahati as well as to the office of the Congress Party and later to Sonari.
In a statement, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma mentioned that Sarat Barkotoky had done a lot for the uplift of the socioeconomic conditions of the people of the state. As a veteran political leader, he had successfully handled multiple portfolios of the government. He was also associated with several organizations in Sonari and worked tirelessly towards the development of the region through these organisations, and his death marks a massive loss for the state. The Chief Minister also announced that the last rites would be performed with full state honours.
APCC president Bhupen Kumar Borah also expressed their grief over the loss of the senior leader and called the death an irreparable loss to the state. Hundreds of members of the party, including the heads of several units, paid their homage to the departed leader when the mortal remains were taken to Rajiv Bhawan.
AGP president Atul Bora also expressed his condolences on the demise of the veteran Congress leader. He mentioned, “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing away of the veteran politician, former Minister Sharat Barkotoky. His death is an irreparable loss to society and the state. I pray to God for his eternal peace and extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family, relatives, and admirers.”
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