India, Oct. 15 -- Goa's minister for agriculture and former chief minister Ravi Naik passed away following a sudden cardiac arrest late on Monday night, his family confirmed.

Naik, 79, began his political career with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party in 1980, later joining the Congress. He served as chief minister on two occasions - in 1991 and again in 1994 - for a combined total of 850 days in office. He remained with the Congress until shortly before the 2022 Goa Legislative Assembly elections, when he joined the BJP.

He also served a brief stint as a Lok Sabha MP between 1998 and 1999.

Naik was appointed agriculture minister in the Pramod Sawant-led government.

Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant condoled his passing.

"Deeply sadde...