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Anjan Dutta’s demise jolts Assam Congress

Anjan Dutta: April 13, 1952 - June 16, 2016
Anjan Dutta: April 13, 1952 - June 16, 2016

The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Anjan Dutta breathed his last at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Thursday. He died due to cardiac failure. He was undergoing treatment at the Department of Pulmonary Sciences. The Congress President Sonia Gandhi and other senior party leaders have condoled the untimely demise of the popular leader from Assam.

Anjan Dutta was born on 13 April 1952 in the Sibsagar district of Assam. As a minister of transport, Dutta revived the almost defunct and dying Assam State Transport. He had received great accolades far and wide for doing so. As an industry minister, Anjan Dutta brought life and vigour in the Assam Tea Corporation. He set benchmarks for his colleagues and other ministers. Anjan Dutta was married to Ananya Dutta . The couple is blessed with three daughters including Ankita Dutta, who unsuccessfully contested the recently held Assembly elections in Assam.

He represented the Amguri constituency from 1991–96, from 2001-2006 and again in 2011 till 2016. He also served as the chairman of the Employment Review Committee of Assam Legislative Agency. Dutta also served as a member of the Assam Agricultural University. He was in the State Cabinet in November, 1992 till May 1996 He held the  portfolio of  Minister of State (Ind) Town and Country Planning Public Enterprises, Irrigation & Hydro-Carbon Development, Assam. In 2001, he was elected MLA from 103, Amguri LAC for the second term. For the second term, when he joined in the council of ministers in 2001, Dutta was  Minister Transport, MAD, GOD, Industry and commerce & Public Enterprises etc. and worked in this position till 2006.

Anjan Dutta was an avid reader. He contributed write-ups and news stories in various newspapers and magazines. He was the Editor of his monthly magazine Mahekiya Anubhuti. His political and literary shades enriched the Assamese life. He will be missed by the Assamese for a long time.

The Congress party in Assam was jolted by Anjan Dutta’s demise. At a personal level, it was a great loss for former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi as he lost a trusted colleague. The loss of power in the Assembly elections and the passing away of a senior leader Anjan Dutta has come probably too soon for the Assam Congress. The mantle of Assam Congress Chief will hopefully pass on to an able and deserving leader who can resurrect the fortunes of Congress before 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

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Ahmed Mohiuddin Siddiqui's picture

Dr Ahmed Mohiuddin Siddiqui is a senior journalist and political analyst based in the Gulf. He was mentored by his ex-boss and eminent journalist M. J Akbar during his stint in The Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad. He is widely read as a columnist for many newspapers in Asia, Africa and Europe.

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