Ponda: Goa’s political landscape mourns the loss of one of its stalwarts as Ravi Naik, the state’s Agriculture Minister and former Chief Minister, passed away late Tuesday night following a cardiac arrest. He was 79.
According to family members, Naik collapsed at his home in Ponda, roughly 30 kilometers from the state capital Panaji. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital, but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. He was declared dead shortly after 1 a.m.
The late minister is survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren. His final rites are scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m., with preparations underway in his hometown for a ceremonial farewell.
Naik’s mortal remains were brought to his residence in Kharpabandh, Ponda, where a large crowd of supporters, political colleagues, and local residents gathered to pay homage to the veteran leader.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant expressed his condolences in a heartfelt message, describing Naik as a pivotal figure in the state’s political evolution. “Deeply saddened by the passing of our senior Cabinet colleague Ravi Naik ji,” Sawant posted on social media platform X. “His commitment to public service and his leadership across various roles will forever be etched in the history of Goa.”
Naik had a long and diverse political career spanning several decades. He was elected to the Goa Legislative Assembly seven times, representing the Ponda and Marcaim constituencies at different points. Over his career, he was associated with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Indian National Congress, and most recently, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
His political journey began in 1984 with the MGP, securing a seat from Ponda. In 1989, he contested from Marcaim. His influence remained strong through the years, with repeated victories from Ponda in 1999, 2002, 2007, and 2017 under the Congress banner, before shifting to the BJP and winning again in 2022.
Naik held the office of Goa’s Chief Minister on two occasions. His first tenure ran from January 1991 to May 1993, leading a coalition government. He briefly returned to the top post in April 1994, though that stint lasted only six days—one of the shortest in the state’s history.
In addition to his state-level leadership, Naik also served as a Member of Parliament from North Goa in 1998, further solidifying his footprint in national politics.
As Goa bids farewell to one of its most enduring political leaders, tributes continue to pour in from across the political spectrum, remembering Ravi Naik not just for his administrative roles, but for his accessibility, grounded demeanor, and unwavering commitment to his constituents.
