Keshubhai Patel played a major role in building BJP in Gujarat, Interior Minister Rajnath Singh said.
Ahmedabad:
Former Gujarat chief minister Keshubhai Patel died today in a hospital in Ahmedabad at the age of 92.
Mr Patel was taken to the town’s Sterling Hospital in an unconscious state in the morning following cardiac arrest, ANI reported.
“We tried to revive him but couldn’t… He was pronounced dead at 11:55 am He did not die from Corona,” said Dr Akshay Kiledar of Sterling Hospital .
The veteran leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), then rebel, was prime minister of Gujarat for a few months in 1995, then between 1998 and 2001, succeeded by Narendra Modi. In 2012, Mr. Patel left the BJP to form the Gujarat Parivartan Party, which later merged with the BJP.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sadness at the death of Mr Patel.
Our beloved and respected Keshubhai has passed away… I am deeply saddened and saddened. He was an exceptional leader who cared about every section of society. His life was dedicated to the advancement of Gujarat and the empowerment of every Gujarati. pic.twitter.com/pmahHWetIX
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 29, 2020
Other senior leaders also expressed their condolences on the death of the veteran Gujarat politician.
“With the demise of Keshubhai Patel, the nation lost a staunch leader. His long public life was dedicated to improving the lives of millions of people, especially in the villages. As an advocate for the farmers’ cause , he enjoyed extraordinary relations with the masses, ”President Ram Nath Kovind said today.
Saying deeply saddened by the death of the top leader, Union Interior Minister Rajnath Singh called Patel a “pillar” who had played an important role in strengthening the BJP in Gujarat. The former chief minister was originally a member of the Jan Sangh, which was later dissolved to form the BJP in 1980.
Israel’s Consulate General in Mumbai, which also serves Gujarat, Goa and Madhya Pradesh, said Patel would be remembered for “being a dedicated statesman.”
My deepest condolences to the family and relatives of the former Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Keshubhai Patel Ji, who passed away today. He will be remembered for being a statesman devoted to the welfare of the state of Gujarat and its people ????
– Israel in Mumbai (@israelinMumbai) October 29, 2020
