Panaji, 15 October 2025: Goa’s agriculture minister and former chief minister, Ravi Naik, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 79 following a cardiac arrest, family sources said. Naik suffered the cardiac arrest at his hometown, about 30 km from Panaji, and was rushed to a private hospital in Ponda town, where he was declared dead around 1 am.
He is survived by his wife, two children, a daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren. His last rites are scheduled for 3 pm on Wednesday. Thousands gathered at his residence in Khadpabandh, Ponda, to pay their respects.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant paid tribute, saying, “Deeply saddened by the demise of our senior leader and Cabinet Minister Shri Ravi Naik Ji. A stalwart of Goan politics, his decades of dedicated service as Chief Minister and Minister across key portfolios have left an indelible mark on the state’s governance and people. His leadership, humility, and contribution to public welfare will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and supporters in this moment of grief. Om Shanti.”
Naik had a long and varied political career, serving seven terms as MLA—six times from Ponda and once from Marcaim—representing the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, Congress, and BJP at different times. He first won the Ponda assembly seat in 1984 on an MGP ticket and later represented Marcaim in 1989. He was elected from Ponda in 1999, 2002, 2007, 2017 (Congress), and 2022 (BJP).
Naik served twice as Goa’s chief minister, first from January 1991 to May 1993 leading a coalition government of the Progressive Democratic Front, and briefly in 1994 for six days—the state’s shortest tenure. He was also elected as Member of Parliament from North Goa in 1998 on a Congress ticket.
