Former Assam Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader Bhumidhar Barman has passed away.

The veteran Assam Congress leader breathed his last at 6:20pm on Sunday in Guwahati.

Former Assam CM Bhumidhar Barman passed away at the Guwahati-based Dispur Hospital.

Bhumidhar Barman was 89 years old at the time of his demise.

Top Assam Congress leaders have started arriving at the Dispur Hospital in Guwahati.

Bhumidhar Barman was undergoing treatment at the Guwahati-based Dispur Hospital for old-age ailments.

Condolences started pouring in as soon as the news of his demise broke out.

Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal said: “Saddened to learn about the demise of former Chief Minister of Assam Dr. Bhumidhar Barman. My sincere condolences to his bereaved family members and well-wishers.”

Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said: “Today we lost a stalwart of Assam politics – former CM and 7-time MLA Late Bhumidhar Barman. I have fond memories of his guidance and affection, starting with my early political career. He leaves behind a rich legacy of good politics & work. We shall miss him.”

AGP president Atul Bora said: “Anguished by the demise of former chief minister and veteran leader Dr. Bhumidhar Barman. My deepest condolences to his bereaved family members and prayers for the departed soul.”

Bhumidhar Barman served as the Chief Minister of Assam from April 22 to May 14, 1996 after the death of former chief minister Hiteswar Saikia.

He had also been the acting chief minister briefly in 2010 when the then Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi had gone for a bypass surgery to the US.

During his illustrious career in politics, Barman had been elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly for seven times.

He was elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly for the first time in 1967.

He also held the important portfolios of revenue and health and family welfare as a cabinet minister.

Veteran Assam Congress leader Bhumidhar Barman was a close aide of former Assam CM Tarun Gogoi.

Bhumidhar Barman was born in 1931 and passed his matriculation from Tihu High School in 1951.

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has expressed its deep condolences at the demise of veteran Congress leader Dr Bhumidhar Barman on Sunday night.

The condolence message, issued by the chairperson of the media department of APCC, Bobbeeta Sharma, said: “Late Dr Barman had served the people of Assam and the party as a chief minister and Cabinet minister holding important portfolios like health, education and revenue, etc.”

“In recent times despite his growing years he was active in politics and would be busy campaigning and attending party meetings to guide the party.”

“Assam Congress would miss his vast repertoire of knowledge and guidance that he gave to the party,” the condolence message said.

APCC president Ripun Bora has extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members of late Dr Barman and wished that the departed soul will rest in eternal peace, it added.

Leader of Assam State Congress Legislature Party, Debabrata Saikia while condoling Dr Barman’s demise, tweeted: “Extremely grieved at the demise of Dr.Bhumidhar Barman Sir, ex-CM of Assam & veteran leader of@INCAssam. To my mind, an era symbolizing selfless public service has come 2 an end. I pray 4 the eternal peace of the departed soul & extend my deepest condolences 2 the bereaved family.”