Former Assam CM #TarunGogoi is no more & it is a sad day for me personally. His family & mine go back 3 generations. The association began in Jorhat, where our families were neighbours, & continued in Delhi, where our small Assamese community was very close knit. 1/n

Later, #TarunGogoi was there for my family when my father died young. Over the years we disagreed ideologically,but that didn't sully our personal relationship. When he found out that I was going to campaign for BJP in 2014,he was shocked. His wife asked me why 2/n

I explained my reasons & told her why I could never support the INC & its policies. I’m sure she didn’t like what I said, but she never let that affect her rapport with me. And despite serious ideological differences, #TarunGogoi was fond of my husband. 3/n

Every time he & my husband met at social events, uncle would make him sit next to him,they’d exchange pleasantries,then have HUGE arguments over policies. Dolly aunty & I would try to play peacemaker,but the men were incorrigible.I think they both enjoyed intellectual duels 4/n

As I reminisce about #TarunGogoi, I lament a disappearing world. In the Assam of my childhood (& to some extent even now), relationships were not contaminated by politics. Personal & public spaces were separate. Humans weren't reduced to the sum total of pol beliefs 5/n

My deepest condolences to @GauravGogoiAsm ,Chandrima, Dolly auntie, & the entire family.

#TarunGogoi Om Shanti 6/n