New Delhi, Nov. 23 -- Tarun Gogoi, the longest serving chief minister of Assam passed away on Monday due to prolonged illness. With the demise of Gogoi, Congress has lost a state of national stature who had worked with at least four Prime Ministers of Congress led government and at least two being a member of the Gandhi family.

Gogoi first entered Parliament at the age of 35 in 1971 under the leadership of then prime minister Indira Gandhi. Even before becoming a Member of Parliament (MP) from Jorhat, Gogoi was elected in the Municipal Board of Jorhat in 1968.

While Gogoi's entry in national politics was because of Indira Gandhi, he was a five term PM from Jorhat and Kaliabar, a seat which is now represented by his son Gaurav Gogoi, bef...