Krishnanath Baburao Naik, 80, former MLA from Shiroda (1967-70),
died in Margao this afternoon following a fall at his residence last Sat
leading to emergency brain surgery at a Margao hospital on Aug 22.
He passed away at the Apollo Victor Hospital's ICU around 2.30 pm
today.
KB Naik, as he was popularly known, was Vice-President of the
Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party when elected from Shiroda on the
party's ticket in the 21 Feb 1967 Assembly elections, closely following
the Opinion Poll verdict of January that year.
However, he and a group of ruling MLAs developed serious differences
with the then Party President and Chief Minister. He led the group of
seven ruling MLAs, including two ministers from a four-member cabinet,
the Dy Speaker, and three other MLAs, including one nominated, who
walked away from the party and government on 23 June 1970. The
seven were: KB Naik, Ministers Anthony D'Souza and Gopal Mayenkar,
Deputy Speaker Manju Gaonkar, MLAs Gajanan Patil, Dattaram Chopdekar
and Jiva Gaonkar, nominated MLA.
That was the 2nd political split in post-1961 Goa, following the one in the
United Goans Party immediately following the Opinion Poll.
The breakaway group formed the Nava Maharashtrawadi Gomantak
Party and contested the 1972 Assembly elections, but came acropper.
KB Naik was born in Adpai, Ponda, on 05 Aug 1930 to Baburao Dharma
Naik and Saju B Naik. His mother was an elected Sarpanch of the village.
A widely respected leader of his social community, he had settled in
Margao and ran a business enterprise here.
He leaves behind his widow, Vrinda and one daughter and three sons,
all married, Vivek/Veena, Sunil/Dr Shubangi, Eng Vaijayanti/Eng Sadanand
Kudchadkar and Rajesh/Devaki. The funeral is scheduled at 11 am tomorrow
at the Margao Crematorium.
Having been my long-standing well wisher, and his family my personal
friends, I do mourn his sudden demise.
-v
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Goa-launch of the well-received *Into The Diaspora
Wilderness* by Selma Carvalho on Aug 29, 2010 (Sunday) at 11
am at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. Meet the author, buy a signed
copy (only Rs 295 in Goa till stock lasts).
http://selmacarvalho.squarespace.com/
