Lone AGP MLA from Barak Valley pass away

Choudhury (66) was the lone MLA of the Asom Gana Parishad from the Barak Valley region.

He breathed his last at around 5.15 am this morning, AGP Publicity Secretary Manoj Saikia said.

He was under treatment for some time and his condition was critical as his kidneys were reportedly not functioning properly.

Choudhury was also a diabetic and was earlier under treatment in Guwahati.

He was elected from Algapur constituency in Hailakandi district five times. He won the assembly polls in 1985, 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2011.

Choudhury served in various ministries during AGP's two terms in power during 1985-90 and 1996-2001. Among others, he served as Minister for Public Heatlh and was also in charge of the Rural Development ministry.

In 2006, he had, however, lost the 2006 assembly polls which he contested on the ticket of Asom Gana Parishad (Progressive), the breakaway faction of the party formed briefly by two-time Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta.

He, however, returned to AGP in 2009 when Mahanta merged his party with the parent organisation. Choudhury again won the seat during the 2011 polls

Choudhury is survived by his wife and a daughter. Mahanta, who is now AGP President, condoled Choudhury's death and described him as "a leader of the masses."