Former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi died here on Monday while undergoing treatment for post-Covid-19 complications, state Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
He was 84 and is survived by wife Dolly, daughter Chandrima and son Gaurav.
Gogoi, a three-time chief minister, breathed his last at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital at 5.34 pm, Sarma said.
He was first admitted to the hospital on August 26 after testing positive for COVID-19 and was released for a brief period before being admitted again on November 2.
The octogenarian Congress leader's condition, who was undergoing treatment at the Gauhati Medical College Hospital for post-Covid complications, deteriorated on November 21, following multi-organ failure and was put on invasive ventilation.
Earlier today, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said "The former CM's condition is extremely critical and worrisome. He is completely on life support and though doctors are trying, now God's blessings and peoples' prayers are required to improve his current condition."
Sarma said no other organs of Gogoi were functioning apart from the brain which was receiving some signals, eyes which were showing some reflexes and his heart which was functioning because of a pace-maker.
Gogoi was given dialysis on Sunday. His condition deteriorated further over the past few hours and it was stated to be "very very critical".
Gogoi was the MLA from the Titabor assembly constituency since 2001. He was also a six-time parliamentarian and a Union minister twice.
PM, President mourns Gogoi's death
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condoled the death of former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, describing the Congress veteran as a popular leader.
"Shri Tarun Gogoi Ji was a popular leader and a veteran administrator, who had years of political experience in Assam as well as the Centre. Anguished by his passing away.
"My thoughts are with his family and supporters in this hour of sadness. Om Shanti," Modi said on Twitter.
President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday condoled the demise of former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and said his passing away marks the end of an era.
"Extremely sad to know of the demise of Shri Tarun Gogoi, former Chief Minister of Assam. The country has lost a veteran leader with rich political and administrative experience. His long tenure in office was a period of epochal change in Assam," Kovind tweeted.
He will always be remembered for the development of Assam and especially towards his efforts to improve law and order and fighting insurgency in the state, he said in another tweet.
"His passing away marks the end of an era. In this hour of grief, condolences to his family, friends and supporters, the president said.