Shantaram Naik, Goa’s ‘original’ Congress leader, dies

Panaji, June 9: Known for his steady flow of incisive press notes and, therefore, invariably billed as a ‘paper tiger’ by rivals in the BJP, former state Congress president Shantaram Naik died on Saturday after suffering a massive heart attack. He was 72 and is survived by wife Beena and son Archit. Naik, who relinquished charge as the state Congress president in April, died on the way to a hospital in the morning. Naik’s wife is the sister of high profile criminal lawyer Ujjwal Nikam who, as special public prosecutor, was responsible for pleading the Maharastra government’s case against the accused in the 1993 Mumbai terror attacks and 26/11 terror strikes in Mumbai.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi said: “I’m sorry to hear about the passing away of Shri Shantaram Naik... 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.” (IANS)