Panaji, October 15, 2025: Goa’s Agriculture Minister and former Chief Minister Ravi Naik passed away early Wednesday following a cardiac arrest, family sources confirmed. He was 79 years old.
According to reports, Mr. Naik suffered a cardiac arrest at his hometown, around 30 km from Panaji, and was rushed to a private hospital in Ponda, where he was declared dead around 1 a.m.
He is survived by his wife, two children, a daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren. His last rites are scheduled to be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.
Tributes Pour In
Thousands of people gathered at Khadpabandh, Ponda, as Mr. Naik’s mortal remains were brought to his residence for public homage.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant expressed deep sorrow over his demise, calling him “a stalwart of Goan politics.”
“Deeply saddened by the demise of our senior leader and Cabinet Minister Shri Ravi Naik Ji. His leadership, humility and contribution to public welfare will always be remembered,” Sawant wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled his death, describing Mr. Naik as “an experienced administrator and dedicated public servant.”
“He enriched Goa’s development trajectory and was passionate about empowering the downtrodden and marginalised,” the Prime Minister said, extending condolences to his family and supporters.
A Political Journey Spanning Four Decades
Ravi Naik was among the most experienced leaders in Goan politics, having been elected seven times as an MLA — six times from Ponda and once from Marcaim.
He represented various political parties during his career, including the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Congress, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Mr. Naik first entered the Goa Legislative Assembly in 1984 from Ponda on an MGP ticket. He later served as an MLA multiple times on Congress and BJP tickets, with his most recent victory in 2022 as a BJP candidate.
He served as Chief Minister of Goa twice — first between January 1991 and May 1993, leading a Progressive Democratic Front coalition, and briefly again in April 1994, a tenure that lasted just six days, making it one of the shortest in Goa’s history.
Mr. Naik also represented North Goa in the Lok Sabha as a Congress MP in 1998.
Legacy
Over his long career, Ravi Naik held several key portfolios and was known for his grassroots connect, administrative acumen, and focus on rural development. Colleagues and supporters remember him as a leader who shaped Goa’s political landscape over four decades.
