Golok Rajbonshi passes away

GUWAHATI, March 26: Senior Congress leader and former minister Golok Rajbonshi breathed his last in his Beltola residence this morning. He was 77. Rajbonshi, who actively participated in the freedom struggle, was elected to the State Assembly from the Rangapara constituency in Sonitpur district for the first time in 1972. Rajbonshi was subsequently elected to the House for four terms. He was the Agriculture Minister in the Hiteswar Saikia Ministry in 1983 and served as the PWD and Higher Education Minister in the Congress ministry from 1991 to 1996. He was the Leader of the Opposition from 1985 to 1990. Rajbonshi also served as the Deputy Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly. The mortal remains of Rajbonshi was brought to the State Assembly premises where the Deputy Speaker Renupama Rajkhowa and legislators from different parties paid floral tributes. The mortal remains were also brought to the Rajiv Bhawan where Congress leaders and workers paid their last respects to the departed leader. The cremation was performed at the Nabagraha cremation ground this afternoon. Assam Assembly Speaker Ganesh Kutum condoled the death.