PANAJI: A senior Goa cabinet Minister Ravi Naik died early on Wednesday at 79.
Naik, agriculture Minister in BJP led government, suffered a heart attack at home, and was shifted to a private hospital in Ponda, where he breathed his last.
His body was then shifted to his Ponda residence.
Goa CM Pramod Sawant posted on X "Deeply saddened by the demise of our senior leader and Cabinet Minister Shri Ravi Naik Ji".
Sawant said that 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.
"Naik's 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," CM posted.
Naik, a two time former CM, is survived by his wife, two sons, daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren.
He started his political career as a councillor of the Ponda municipal council, and in 1984, he became MLA for the first time from the Ponda constituency on an MGP ticket.
Naik then joined BJP in 2000 and later Congress in 2001. He contested on Congress ticket in 2007.
In 2001, Naik joined BJP and won the 2022 polls.
He was also a Congress MP from North Goa in 1998.
