Veteran politician Devanand Konwar passed away at 86 in Guwahati

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: Veteran politician Devanand Konwar passed away at his Rukminigaon residence here in the wee hours on Saturday. He was 86.

Born in 1934, he started his career as a lecturer in the Department of English, Cotton College, Guwahati. He joined the ‘American Standard Vacuum Oil Company’ in Mumbai in 1961. He had been associated with the Congress since his student life and was first inducted as a Minister in 1991 by late Assam Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikia and also by former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in 2001.

He was the Governor of Bihar from June 29, 2009 to March 21, 2014 and the Governor of Tripura from March 25, 2013 to June 29, 2014. He also held the additional charge of Governor of West Bengal from December 14, 2019 to January 23, 2010.

The mortal remains of Devanand Konwar have been taken to Nitaipukhuri in Dimow, upper Assam, where his funeral will be performed on Sunday.

Assam Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal have condoled the death of Konwar. In a condolence message, the Governor termed Konwar as a dedicated leader and worker who made all efforts for the cause of people of all sections. The Governor also said that as a politician, he contributed immensely to the general welfare of the people at large. He served the State with deep commitment, compassion and love for the people. “I express my empathy with the bereaved family members and pray to God for eternal peace of the departed soul,” the Governor added.

In another condolence message, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condoled the demise of Konwar and said, “I am deeply saddened to learn about the demise of former Governor of Bihar, West Bengal and Tripura and former Minister of Assam Devananda Knowar. As Constitutional head of three States and as a Minister of Assam Government during his lifetime, he made indelible contribution to the socio-political landscape of the country. As an academician also, he made significant contribution in the field of education. The void created by his departure will always be felt by the people of the State”.

The Chief Minister also conveyed his deep sympathy to the bereaved family members and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul.

State BJP president Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Ripun Bora, Congress Legislature Party leader Debabrata Saikia, AGP president Atul Bora, State Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, AIUDF president Badruddin Ajmal and others also condoled the demise of the veteran politician.

Towards the fag-end of his political career, Konwar joined the BJP and then shifted to the AIUDF.

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