Goa’s minister for agriculture and former chief minister Ravi Naik passed away following a sudden cardiac arrest late on Monday night, his family confirmed.
Ravi Naik began his political career with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party in 1980 (X/@INCGoa)
Naik, 79, began his political career with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party in 1980, later joining the Congress. He served as chief minister on two occasions — in 1991 and again in 1994 — for a combined total of 850 days in office. He remained with the Congress until shortly before the 2022 Goa Legislative Assembly elections, when he joined the BJP.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
He also served a brief stint as a Lok Sabha MP between 1998 and 1999.
Naik was appointed agriculture minister in the Pramod Sawant-led government.
Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant condoled his passing.
“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. 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,” Sawant said on X (formerly Twitter).
Naik was admitted to a private hospital in Ponda, Goa, late on Monday night but was declared dead soon after.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}
He was regarded as one of the tallest leaders of the Hindu Bahujan Samaj, comprising numerically strong but historically oppressed communities.
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
He was regarded as one of the tallest leaders of the Hindu Bahujan Samaj, comprising numerically strong but historically oppressed communities.
{{/usCountry}}
Naik is survived by his wife, two sons — Roy and Ritesh Naik — their wives, and three grandchildren.
Gerard de Souza is a Special Correspondent based in Goa and has been reporting on and about issues concerning the state and the wider western coast of India for over 18 years. His wide range of stories covers politics, crime, environment and tourism-related concerns emerging from India’s smallest state. Born and brought up in Goa, he has a deep understanding of the former Portuguese enclave’s evolution from a laidback collection of idyllic villages that first drew flower power generation of counter culture enthusiasts to its shores to one that has become synonymous in Indian popular culture with an aspirational holiday, seeing the best (and worst) that holidayers have to offer. He also keenly follows criminal trials. Most notably, he covered the trial surrounding the killing of Scarlett Keeling, a British teenager found dead on Anjuna beach, and that of Danielle McLaughlin similarly killed in south Goa, among others. He authored the book ‘Crimes of Passion: When Desire Turns Deadly,’ chronicling cases of romance turning to rage and murder. A graduate of Goa University, he learnt the trade on the job and has experience on both the reporting and editorial sides of the profession. When not sniffing around for a worthy headline, he likes to spend time outdoors to help ensure his heart is always in the right place.
Get the latest India News, breaking headlines, and real-time updates from across the nation. Stay informed on politics, government policies, crime, weather, and major national developments.
Get the latest India News, breaking headlines, and real-time updates from across the nation. Stay informed on politics, government policies, crime, weather, and major national developments.
Home/India News/Ravi Naik, Goa agriculture minister and former CM, dies at 79
{{^htLoading}}
Advertisement
{{/htLoading}}
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
{{#usCountry}}{{/usCountry}}
Notifications
Get breaking alerts directly from the newsroom
Notifications are on!You'll be notified when news breaks
