Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal has announced three-day state mourning for former chief minister Tarun Gogoi.

Chief minister Sonowal made the announcement while visiting the Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH) to pay tribute to former chief minister Gogoi.

Former three-time Assam chief minister Gogoi passed away at 5.34 pm on Monday at GMCH. He was 86.

Also read: Tarun Gogoi’s mortal remains to be kept at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra for 2 days

During his visit to GMCH, chief minister Sonowal while talking to reporters recalled his first visit to the former chief minister’s residence after winning the State Assembly elections in 2016.

He said he had sought blessings and advice from Gogoi to run the state.

Sonowal said Gogoi had advised him to run the state uniting the people.

Also read: Former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi passes away at 86

After paying tribute to the former chief minister at GMCH, Sonowal tweeted: “Along with thousands at GMCH, offered my last shraddhanjali to the mortal remains of former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi da.”

Assam chief minister Sonowal termed Gogoi as a “great leader”.

“I join the people of Assam in mourning the loss of a great leader,” Sonowal tweeted.

Also read: Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal rushes back to Guwahati as Tarun Gogoi’s condition turns extremely critical

After receiving the news that Gogoi’s health condition turned “very critical”, Sonowal rushed back to Guwahati on Monday evening cancelling his upper Assam tour.