Assam: Sivasagar Congress MLA and Former Speaker Pranab Gogoi Passes Away at 84

Guwahati, February 4, 2020:

Pranab Gogoi, a former Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly, Cabinet Minister and sitting Congress MLA representing Sivasagar passed away on Monday around 10:40 pm. He was 84.

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According to reports, Gogoi was taken to a private hospital in Guwahati on Tuesday last with breathing difficulties. Gogoi finally breathed his last on Monday and doctors have cited the reason as "multiple organ failure."

Notably, the former Speaker, who served from 2011-2016, sought to find the meaning of the term "Assamese" under the Clause VI of the 'Assam Accord'.

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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 given the nod of assent by several indigenous organizations such as the All Assam Students' Union (AASU).

It may be mentioned here 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.

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has taken to Twitter to condole Gogoi's demise. "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", a tweet sent out from Sonowal's official account read.

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