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Leaders recall their long association with Tarun Gogoi

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Nov 24 - Many senior political leaders today recalled their long association with former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

Leaders cutting across party lines had gathered at the GMCH, from where Gogoi�s mortal remains were taken out this morning, as well as later at his official residence at Minister�s Colony in Dispur, at the Janata Bhawan and at the Rajiv Bhawan, to pay their respects.

Congress legislator Rekibuddin Ahmed, who arrived at the GMCH early this morning, termed Gogoi�s demise as a very big loss for the party.

�Words cannot describe the loss. I still cannot believe that he is no more with us. Tarun Gogoi was a very tall figure,� said Ahmed.

Recalling his association with Gogoi, Ahmed said, �One of the memories I cherish is of a time before I contested my first election. I was at Hajo. Gogoi took me along in his car and we went to two-three different places. At the end of the journey, Gogoi told me to focus on the Chaygaon constituency and said that Chaygaon is my destiny. Gogoi said that I should work at Chaygaon. And see, today I am a second-term MLA from Chaygaon,� he said.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly Debabrata Saikia also arrived at the GMCH early in the morning.

�Assam witnessed real change under the Tarun Gogoi regime. That is why he was so popular. The entire State is today in shock and grief. We in the Congress party have also lost a very senior leader who had blessed us within his vision and foresight,� Saikia said.

He also shared his personal memories with the former Chief Minister. �I met him for the first time in 1971 when I was only seven years old. My father (former Chief Minister Late Hiteswar Saikia) became MLA from Nazira in 1972. Nazira was part of the Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency. Tarun Gogoi used to come to our place in a Fiat car and park the vehicle outside our front gate. He used to discuss various political issues with my father and have a meal with us before departing,� said Saikia.

�I had a very good personal rapport with him. We both hail from Jorhat. During our conversations, Gogoi always used to recall Kuladhar Chaliha and Debeswar Sarma, who were also from Jorhat and had served as Speakers of the Assembly. Tarun Gogoi advised me to follow their example. Our relation was that of siblings and he was like my elder brother,� said the Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly Hitendra Nath Goswami, who paid his respects to the former Chief Minister at his official residence.

Former Minister and senior Congress leader Sarat Borkataky, who was also present there, said, �Tarun Gogoi and I were very close friends. We had studied together at JB College in Jorhat. I had canvassed for him when he first contested Lok Sabha elections in 1971. We worked together for many decades. I have lost a very close friend. I wish for the well-being of his family.�

President of All India Mahila Congress Sushmita Dev also recalled her association with the former Chief Minister.

�Assam has lost one of her tallest leaders. In the history of India, Assam will be identified with Tarun Gogoi and Tarun Gogoi with Assam. That is the kind of stature he had. It is also a personal loss for me and my family. I have known him since I was a child. We had family relations. He was also an inclusive Chief Minister and enjoyed great popularity in Barak Valley,� she said.

Industry Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, who was present at the Janata Bhawan, said, �Tarun Gogoi was a great man. He knew how to respect the opposition leaders and members of other political parties. We pray to God for Gogoi�s eternal peace.�

Education Minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya said, �I knew him very well personally. Our political ideology may have been different but we had a great personal relation. He had good relations with my father as well.�

The Chief Minister�s Media Adviser Hrishikesh Goswami said that whenever he met the former Chief Minister, he always received love and affection from him.

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