Former Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly, Cabinet Minister and sitting Congress MLA representing Sivasagar, Pranab Gogoi, passed away on Monday around 10:40 pm. He was 84.
Reports claim He was having some breathing difficulties when Gogoi was taken to a private on Tuesday last with breathing difficulties.
Gogoi finally had his last breath on Monday and doctors have cited “multiple organ failure” as the main reason. Notably, the former Speaker, who served from 2011-2016, sought to find the meaning of the term “Assamese” under Clause VI of the ‘Assam Accord’.
Later, Gogoi had even submitted a report to the Assembly and contended that National Register of Citizens (NRC), 1951, be taken as the basis for the definition of “Assamese”. Gogoi’s definition was nodded of assent by several indigenous organizations such as the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU).
It needs mentioning that the veteran of the political game was first elected to the Sivasagar Assembly Constituency in 2001, and has since held the position, always on a Congress ticket. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has taken to Twitter to condole Gogoi’s demise.
He tweets, “Saddened at the news of the demise of Pranab Gogoi, former Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly. He leaves behind a rich legacy of public service. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”
Saddened at the news of the demise of Pranab Gogoi, former Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly. He leaves behind a rich legacy of public service. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) February 4, 2020
