Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Oct 15: Goa’s Agriculture Minister and former Chief Minister Ravi Naik passed away early Wednesday following a cardiac arrest, family sources confirmed. He was 79.
According to sources, Naik suffered a cardiac arrest at his hometown, located about 30 km from Panaji. He was rushed to a private hospital in Ponda, where doctors declared him dead around 1 am.
Naik is survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter-in-law and three grandchildren. His mortal remains were brought to his residence at Khadpabandh, Ponda, where hundreds of people, including political leaders and well-wishers, gathered to pay their last respects. The final rites will be held at 3 pm on Wednesday.
Expressing grief over the veteran leader’s demise, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant said Naik’s contribution to Goa’s political and social landscape will always be remembered.
“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,” CM Sawant said in a post on X. “His leadership, humility and contribution to public welfare will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and supporters. Om Shanti,” he added.
Ravi Naik’s political career spanned over four decades. He was elected seven times to the Goa Legislative Assembly — six times from the Ponda constituency and once from Marcaim — representing different political parties including the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Naik entered electoral politics in 1984, winning from Ponda on an MGP ticket. He later represented Marcaim in 1989, again under the MGP banner. Over the years, he successfully contested from Ponda in 1999, 2002, 2007 and 2017 as a Congress candidate, and in 2022 as a BJP nominee.
He twice served as the Chief Minister of Goa — first from January 1991 to May 1993, heading a coalition government under the Progressive Democratic Front, and later in April 1994 for a brief tenure of just six days, making it the shortest in the state’s history.
In addition to his state roles, Naik also served as a Member of Parliament from North Goa in 1998 on a Congress ticket.
Known for his humility, administrative acumen and long-standing commitment to public welfare, Ravi Naik’s demise marks the end of an era in Goan politics.