GUWAHATI, Dec 10 - The body of senior Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leader and former Minister Dilip Kumar Saikia reached the State today.
Saikia (63) had passed his last at a private hospital in Kolkata yesterday. He had been unwell for long with kidney-related ailment.
His body was brought directly from Lokopriya Gopipnath Bordoloi International Airport to AGP�s head-office at Ambari. Senior party leaders and its front organisations paid their respects to Saikia at the party office.
The body was then taken to Saikia�s residence at Jatiya and from there to his native place at Dhemaji.
His last rites will be performed tomorrow. AGP president and Agriculture Minister Atul Bora and other senior party leaders will be present during the ceremony tomorrow, stated an official release from the regional party.
Saikia has left behind a daughter and a host of other relatives. His wife and noted singer Mitali Choudhury had passed away a few years ago.
Saikia was very active during the Assam Agitation and later on he also played a prominent part in State politics after formation of the AGP. He was serving as the party�s vice president at the time of death.
He was elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly four times � in 1985, 1991, 1996 and 2001 � from Dhemaji constituency. Saikia served as a Minister during the first AGP regime (1985-1990).
Meanwhile, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Ripun Bora has expressed his condolence over the demise of Saikia.
