Chronic asthma claimed the life of Goa's veteran political leader, renowned industrialist and philanthropist Anant Narcinva Naik alias Babu Naik, at the age 71 on April 30 at the GMC hospital in Panjim.

He was cremated at the Aquem crematorim on May 1. Several leaders, including those across the border, condoled the death of Babu Naik, a towering personality in Goan politics. He he crusaded against corruption relentlessly and was the undisputed champion of the underdog. These excellent qualities he inherited from his father, the late Narcinva Damodar Naik, one of the founders of the United Goans Party.

Born on August 19, 1927, Babu spent nearly 30 years as a vigilant member of the Goa legislative Assembly, leader of the Opposition and a minister for Industries. He joined the erstwhile United Goans Party in 1966 and became its vice-president, and was soon campaigning vociferously for Goa's separate identity in the historic Opinion Poll of 1967. Goans will remember his significant role in the opinion poll in 1967 as well as in the Konkani movement.

He was first elected from the Margao constituency in 1967 and kept winning till 1994, except for the defeat in the 1984 polls. He joined the Congress Party in 1980 and helped install a Congress ministry with Pratapsing Rane as its chief minister. After leading the party through thick and thin, Babu resigned from the Congress in 1989. Thereafter he contested as an independent and won the elections, finally to retire from active politics in 1994.

Babu was instrumental in exposing several scandals and corruption cases during his political career. He loved Goa and its environment immensely, and in this respect stands out the scholarly report he prepared as the chairman of the House Committee on Nylon 6,6 which was ultimately shown the door.

He leaves behind his wife Meerabai, sons Pandurang alias Bhai, Gourish and Vinay, and daughter Shobha.