MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Former Minister and Member of Parliament Harish “Anna” Zantye, father of sitting Mayem MLA Pravin Zantye, passed away after a brief illness at his Miramar residence, on Saturday. He was 86.
Zantye was elected thrice as MLA, twice from Bicholim and once from Mayem Constituency. He was first elected as an independent MLA after defeating former chief minister Shashikala Kakodkar in 1980 and again in 1984 on a Congress ticket.
Zantye lost 1989 elections but was elected as MP from erstwhile Panjim Parliamentary Constituency in 1991. In 2002, he was again elected on a Congress ticket from Mayem Constituency, which is now represented by his son BJP MLA Pravin Zantye.
Zantye was also instrumental in starting The Bicholim Urban Co-operative Bank Limited in 1987 and was its president for a long time. He also opened college at Bicholim.
He is survived by his son and three daughters.
The last rites will be held at Bicholim on Sunday, March 21, informed family sources. Meanwhile, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Minister for AYUSH Shripad Naik, Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat and others have condoled the death of former minister Zantye.
In his message, Koshyari said, “Zantye established excellent standards of social service and was always popular among the people of Goa. On his death, I pay my respects and express my deepest condolences to his family.”
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant described Zantye as a democratic and visionary leader. The contributions made by late Zantye for the welfare of the people of the State as a MLA and MP will be remembered forever. Goa has lost a tall leader, he said in his condolence message.
Expressing his condolences over Zantye’s death, Minister for AYUSH Shripad Naik tweeted, “Saddened to hear the demise of former MP and Minister Harish Zantye ji. May God give strength to his family to bear the loss. Om Shanti.”
Kamat said, “Anna Zantye will be always remembered for his kind and helping nature and his contribution to educational sector. He pioneered cashew industry in Goa with brand “Zantye Cashew”. Condolences to his family.”
Goa Assembly Speaker Rajesh Patnekar, Bharatiya Janata Party State President Sadanand Shet Tanavade, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Girish Chodankar and Goa Union of Journalists have also condoled Zantye’s death.
