Former Assam minister Siddique Ahmed, a prominent leader from Barak Valley and a four-term Congress MLA from Karimganj South, died on Sunday, September 13, 2026, after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 63 years old and breathed his last at his residence in Baroigram of Sribhumi district at around 8 am, his personal secretary Sale Ahmed said.
Political career and portfolios
Ahmed served as a minister in the cabinet of former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and held several important portfolios during Congress rule. Government records and contemporaneous reporting list the departments he led as including Border Protection and Development, Industries and Commerce and Cooperation, among others. He retained a significant political presence in the Barak Valley through successive electoral wins from Karimganj South.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | 63 |
| Constituency | Karimganj South |
| Political party | Indian National Congress (remained a member despite suspension) |
| Place of death | Baroigram, Sribhumi district |
Family and local ties
Ahmed is survived by his wife, Anima Begum, three sons and a daughter. He was widely regarded in the Barak Valley as a veteran leader with deep local ties, particularly in Karimganj and surrounding areas. Local political observers note his long association with grassroots politics and administrative experience from his ministerial tenure.
Reactions from parties and leaders
The state Bharatiya Janata Party chief and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed sorrow at the passing and paid a personal tribute to Ahmed’s approach to public service. In a social media post, Sarma wrote that Ahmed had prioritised people’s welfare and administered his departments with professionalism.
"We belonged to different political parties, but our bond went beyond politics, we were fellow travellers who navigated through difficult phases of life together,"
The Chief Minister added that Ahmed was a compassionate person who valued relationships and that his passing left a void in both social life in Sribhumi and administrative circles of Assam.
The Congress, while noting that Ahmed had been under suspension from the party for supporting the state government in its first term under Mr Sarma, offered respectful remarks. Congress spokesperson Bedabrat Bora said the party continues to consider Ahmed part of the organisation and will accord him full respect.
Context and implications
Ahmed’s death removes a seasoned political figure from Assam’s Barak Valley landscape. His record as a minister — managing portfolios linked to border affairs, industry and cooperation — reflected the priorities of his tenure in the Gogoi administration and his influence in constituency-level governance. His temporary break with party lines during the current administration highlighted the complex, cross-party relationships that characterise Assam politics.
- Personal details: Died at home in Baroigram at around 8 am on September 13; survived by wife and four children.
- Political record: Four-term MLA from Karimganj South; minister in Tarun Gogoi’s cabinet with multiple portfolios.
- Party status: Remained a Congress member despite suspension after he extended support to the state government in its first term.
Formal funeral arrangements and any official commemorations by the government or the party were not immediately available. Further details about memorial services and tributes are expected from family and party offices in the coming days.
Ahmed’s passing will be observed closely across Barak Valley constituencies where he had active social and political engagement. As Assam continues to navigate its regional political dynamics, the departure of veteran leaders such as Ahmed is likely to prompt reflection within party ranks and among voters about leadership and legacy.
(Reporting from Sribhumi district)
