Goa's Former Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik Passes Away at 79: A Political Legacy Remembered

Ravi Naik, who served as Goa's agriculture minister and former chief minister, passed away on Wednesday following a cardiac arrest, according to family sources.

The 79-year-old experienced cardiac arrest at his hometown located 30 km from Panaji. He was subsequently transported to a private medical facility in Ponda town where he was pronounced dead at approximately 1 am.

Naik leaves behind his wife, two children, a daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren. His funeral service was scheduled for 3 pm on Wednesday.

His remains were brought to his residence in Khadpabandh, Ponda, where thousands gathered to pay their respects to the departed leader.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant expressed his condolences, stating, "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."

Sawant further added, "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. Om Shanti."

Throughout his political career, Naik served as an MLA seven times, representing Ponda assembly constituency six times and Marcaim assembly constituency once. He ran as a candidate for various parties including Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, Congress, and the BJP over the years.

His first election to the state legislative assembly came from Ponda constituency in 1984 on an MGP ticket, and he successfully contested the 1989 election from Marcaim assembly constituency with the same party.

Naik consistently won elections from Ponda assembly constituency in 1999, 2002, 2007, and 2017 as a Congress candidate, and in 2022 as a BJP candidate.

He served twice as the chief minister of Goa. His first tenure lasted from January 1991 to May 1993, leading a coalition government of the Progressive Democratic Front.

In 1994, Naik became Goa's shortest-serving chief minister, with a tenure lasting merely six days from April 2 to 8.

Additionally, Naik represented North Goa as a Member of Parliament in 1998 as a Congress candidate.