Former Goa CM and Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik dies at 79

Ponda, Goa: Former Goa Chief Minister and state Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik passed away in the early hours of Wednesday following a cardiac arrest, according to family sources. He was 79.

Naik reportedly suffered cardiac arrest at his residence, located around 30 km from Panaji, and was rushed to a private hospital in Ponda town, where he was declared dead around 1 am. He is survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren.

His mortal remains were brought to his home in Khadpabandh, Ponda, where thousands of mourners gathered to pay their last respects. The final rites are scheduled to take place at 3pm on Wednesday.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant paid tribute to Naik, describing him as a stalwart of Goan politics. “Deeply saddened by the demise of our senior leader and Cabinet Minister Shri Ravi Naik Ji. A stalwart of Goan politics, his decades of dedicated service as Chief Minister and Minister across key portfolios have left an indelible mark on the state's governance and people,” Sawant wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

“His leadership, humility and contribution to public welfare will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and supporters in this moment of grief. Om Shanti,” he added.

Background

He had a long and influential political career, serving as MLA seven times – six times from Ponda and once from Marcaim – across various party lines including the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), the Congress, and the BJP.

He entered the Goa Legislative Assembly for the first time in 1984 from Ponda on an MGP ticket, and later won the 1989 elections from Marcaim. Returning to Ponda, he won subsequent elections in 1999, 2002, 2007, and 2017 on a Congress ticket, and most recently in 2022 as a BJP candidate.

Naik served as Goa’s Chief Minister twice. His first term, from January 1991 to May 1993, saw him lead a coalition under the Progressive Democratic Front. He briefly returned to the post in April 1994 for a six-day stint, marking the shortest tenure of any Goa CM.

In addition to his roles at the state level, Naik was also elected to the Lok Sabha from North Goa in 1998 as a Congress MP.

(PTI)