Ex-Speaker Anant Shet passes away

Sankhali: Ex-Speaker of Goa legislative assembly, former MLA of Mayem and senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Anant Vishnu Shet passed away on Sunday at 3 am in the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) following a brief illness.

The two-time Mayem MLA was 58. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter and three brothers.

The final rites were performed in the afternoon and the mortal remains of Shet were consigned to flames with full state honours.

According to sources in the family, Shet was admitted to the GMC on July 31, as he was suffering from an intestinal problem.

Shet was the Speaker of the Goa legislative assembly from January 12, 2016 to March 14, 2017. He represented the Mayem assembly constituency in North Goa district from 2007 to 2017.

Shet started his political career as a panch member of Mayem village panchayat in 1994. He later became deputy sarpanch of the panchayat. In 2005, he was elected as a member of the Zilla Panchayat. He was elected as MLA from Mayem on BJP ticket in 2007 and again in 2012. Later on, he was elected as Deputy Speaker and he went on to become the Speaker of the House. He played a role in getting the Mayem evacuee property issue resolved. Apart from being a politician, Shet was also a Ganesh idol artist.

Governor Satya Pal Malik, in his condolence message said, “I am extremely saddened to hear about the sad demise of former Speaker of Goa legislative assembly Anant Vishnu Shet. He was two-time member of the legislative assembly from Mayem constituency. Shri Anant Vishnu Shet was a respected public figure in Goa. He was very humble and polite in his demeanour. He devoted his entire life for the welfare of people. He will be remembered in Goa for his penchant for social service. At this hour of grief, I pray to the Almighty to give strength to his family members and those who loved him to bear the loss. My thoughts and prayers are with them. May the soul rest in peace.”

Union Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) Shripad Naik said Shet was a social worker and an efficient leader who worked for all-round development of Mayem constituency. “He never had differences with anyone and contributed towards resolving the Mayem property issue,” he said.

Speaker of Goa legislative assembly Rajesh Patnekar said Shet’s death is a big loss to Goa. “He was a social worker and a good human being, who developed Mayem constituency. He always worked for the people of Mayem,” he said.

In his condolence message, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant described Shet as a grassroots leader. “Shocked and deeply saddened by the untimely demise of former Speaker of Goa legislative assembly and senior BJP leader Shri Anant Shet. A grassroots leader and very humble and down to earth person. His contribution towards the state and service to the people will always be remembered,” he tweeted.

Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat also expressed his condolences. “Deeply saddened by the passing away of former Speaker of Goa legislative assembly Anant Vishnu Shet. My condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace,” he said.

Mayem MLA Pravin Zantye said Shet was a great leader, who worked for the betterment of Mayem. 

BJP state general secretary Narendra Sawaikar also expressed grief over Shet’s death. “Saddened to learn about sad and untimely demise of 2 time MLA of Mayem and former speaker #AnantShet. My deepest condolences to his family. May his departed soul attain Sadgati. Om Shanti!” he said in a tweet.

Many other state politicians also paid their tributes to the departed soul.