The last journey of three-time Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi began on Tuesday morning from the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Guwahati, where he breathed his last due to post COVID-19 Complications. A large crowd including several political leaders, had gathered to catch a last glimpse of their leader.

The veteran politician’s son and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi, accompanied by senior leaders and hundreds of supporters, received the body from GMCH, which was then taken out in a procession. The flower-decked vehicle carrying the former CM’s body made its way from the hospital to his official residence in Dispur, where a large crowd had gathered to pay floral tributes to him. His glass coffin, wrapped in flowers, was shouldered by Gaurav, Congress Assam unit chief Ripun Bora, Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia and other senior leaders such as Pradyut Bordoloi and Rakibul Hussain.

Scores of people and leaders cutting across party lines were also seen gathering at Gogoi’s official residence in Dispur to pay their last respects. From there, the body was taken to Janata Bhawan, the state secretariat, from where Gogoi served the people for 15 years as the chief minister. Among others, Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua and DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta were present at the building.

The Assam government has announced a three-day state mourning in honour of Gogoi. The BJP, Congress, AGP and other political parties also cancelled all party functions, including the ongoing election campaign for the Bodoland Territorial Council polls, for the period.