Former Congress chief and Rajya Sabha Lawmaker Shantaram Naik died after he suffered from heart attack today. Naik, who was 72 year old, had complained of chest pains, and rushed to a private hospital in Margao Town. However, it was too late. He couldn’t be treated, and was declared dead by the authorities upon arrival at 7 am in the morning. Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences on twitter, writing, “I’m sorry to hear about the passing away of Shri Shantaram Naik, former Goa Congress Chief, MP and senior Congress leader, who played an important role in the battle for Goa’s statehood. My condolences to his family in their time of grief. May his soul rest in peace.”
The Congress party also released a statement, “Sad to inform the untimely demise of our ex-president, ex-MP, Shri Shantaram Naik this morning around 6.30 am on way to Trimurty Hospital of heart attack. Funeral tomorrow at 11 am at his Cuncolim Residence.”
Naik joined Congress party in 1967, and won the North Goa Lok Sabha seat in 1984. He also contributed to the passage of statehood bill, which later declared Goa as a separate state.