Tarun Gogoi passes away!

Image Courtesy:thenewsminute.com

On Monday, Assam lost one of its best-known political leaders when Tarun Gogoi passed away. Born in Jorhat on April 1, 1936, Gogoi went on to become the face of the Congress party in Assam, and was the state’s longest serving chief minister from 2001 to 2016.

Top political leaders across party lines have condoled his passing:

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. pic.twitter.com/jTMfSyAJ6J
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 23, 2020

Tarun Gogoi who rescued Assam from bankruptcy in 2001 and transformed the state during the 15 years he was CM, is sadly no more. He was a wonderful man, full of energy and ideas till the very last. I have many fond memories of working closely with him. He will be missed.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) November 23, 2020

People in rest of India may or may not know but the role of ##TarunGogoi in rebuilding Assam along with other leaders was key to the overall development of the northeast region. we across different party line have huge respect for him which is rarity today
— Pradyot_Tripura (@PradyotManikya) November 23, 2020

I am extremely saddened to hear about the passing of Tarun Gogoi, former CM of Assam.
He was a veteran politician and an able administrator.
On behalf of the DMK, I extend my deep condolences to his family and the cadres of the Congress Party who are mourning his loss. pic.twitter.com/qQCc79H0QO
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) November 23, 2020

Extremely sad news about Shri Tarun Gogoi’s passing. Heartfelt condolences to Shri @GauravGogoiAsm and all others in Shri Gogoi’s family. pic.twitter.com/9fnZrtlmVw
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) November 23, 2020

Very saddened to learn about the demise of Former CM of Assam Shri Tarun Gogoi Ji. My deepest condolences to the family.@GauravGogoiAsm pic.twitter.com/BioCEtDFGK
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) November 23, 2020

Tarun Gogoi is perhaps best remembered for pulling Assam back from the brink of financial ruin when he took charge in 2001. During his 15-year tenure as Chief Minister, Gogoi also contributed significantly to helping reduce insurgency and violence in the state.

In 2005, when over 5 lakh migrant labourers were allegedly thrown out of Arunachal Pradesh on suspicions of being ‘outsiders’, it was Gogoi who had their citizenship verified and ensured that they were able to go back home safely. In fact, to make sure that people, especially ethno-chauvinistic students’ groups, did not harbour any animosity towards these migrant workers, he had their names and states of origin published prominently in major publications in the state. Something that helped allay fears in a state where a large majority of people believe that illegal Bangladeshi migrants have entered the state and are trying to change the demography of Assam, a belief that led to the signing of the Assam Accord in 1985 that in turn paved the way for the update of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam.

In 2013, he ensured all eligible voters got their Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC), another step towards resolving deep-seated issues surrounding the volatile citizenship situation in Assam.

With him gone and a crucial election coming up, the Congress and other opposition parties are left virtually rudderless in the state.