Senior Congress leader and former Assam minister Sarat Barkataki passes away at 86

Guwahati: Former Congress minister and senior party leader in Assam Sarat Barkataki passed away on Monday. He was 86.

Mr Barkataki was undergoing treatment at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).

The senior leader represented the Sonari Assembly constituency in the Jorhat district as an MLA for 25 years.

Mr Barkataki, born on March 1, 1935, in Madhupur, Sonari, was a cherished figure in Assam's political landscape. His passing has cast a veil of sorrow over the entire state, as well as the people of Sonari.

In his illustrious career, Mr Barkataki held various crucial positions within the state government, serving during the tenures of late chief ministers Hiteswar Shaikia and Tarun Gogoi. During the last term of late chief minister Tarun Gogoi, Mr Barkataki held the position of Minister of Education.

Expressing grief, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote on social media, “I am saddened to hear of the passing away of a senior politician, former Minister of Government of Assam, Mr Sharat Barkatki. He was a skilled politician and a man of clean personality. I learned many things from him as a colleague for many years. His death is a great loss to the political spectrum of Assam.”

“I pray to God for the eternal peace of the veteran politician and extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. The funeral will be held with full state dignity,” he added.

Assam Congress president Bhupen Borah also offered his condolences. “The death of Barkataki is a great loss to our party. I pray for the peace of his soul and extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family!” (EOM)