THE Christian community of Assam joined social and political leaders to mourn the death of Tarun Gogoi, a former chief minister of the northeastern Indian state.
Gogoi, who was Assam chief minister for three terms died November 23 while undergoing treatment at the Gauhati Medical College Hospital for post-Covid complications. He was 84.
The death was confirmed by Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The Christian community expresses “its deepest sorrow and offers its condolences at the sad demise” of Gogoi, says a condolence message from Allen Brooks, spokesperson of the Assam Christian Forum.
“The community also wishes to express tha in his passing away, the community has lost a valuable friend and an adherent supporter,” the message adds.
The message also says Christians in the state not only pray for the “eternal repose” of Gogoi’s soul but express their solidarity with the bereaved family “at this difficult time.”
Gogoi was diagnosed with Covid in August end and was administered plasma therapy when his condition worsened. After testing negative for Covid, Gogoi was battling post-Covid complications. He was on non-invasive ventilation since November 2, but on November 21 was put under invasive ventilation.
“He left this world at 5:34 pm,” Sarma said outside the medical college.
The body would be kept at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakhetra, a cultural institution in Guwahati, on November 24 for people to get a last glimpse.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal flew back to Guwahati from Dibrugarh after cancelling his scheduled official programs to be with Gogoi’s family. “He has always been a father figure to me. I join millions in praying for his recovery,” Sonowal tweeted. The chief minister has announced a three-day state mourning in the honor of Gogoi.
Leaders across the political spectrum, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind, condoled the death of Gogoi, a Congress stalwart. Earlier in the day, PM Modi, former PM Manmohan Singh and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had called Gogoi’s son and MP Gaurav Gogoi and enquired about the former CM’s health.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi too had called Gaurav. Senior Assam ministers and important political leaders visited Gogoi’s family at the hospital throughout the day.
In the days before he was diagnosed with Covid, Gogoi was at the forefront of the Congress initiative to form a ‘Grand Alliance’, comprising all the opposition parties for the 2021 assembly polls. Gogoi was elected chief minister of Assam in 2001 after he led the Congress to victory in the state elections. He then led the party to a record three consecutive electoral victories in the state. Matters India
