New Delhi: Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and senior BJP leader Babulal Gaur passed away on Wednesday morning at a private hospital in Bhopal after prolonged illness. He was 89. Gaur passed away due to caridiac arrest in Narmada Hospital Director as told by Dr Rajesh Sharma to PTI. He was suffering from various old-age related ailments and was hospitalised for quite some time.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of the senior BJP leader. He took to Twitter and wrote, "Shri Babulal Gaur Ji served people for decades. From Jana Sangh days, he worked constantly to strengthen our Party. As Minister and CM of Madhya Pradesh he undertook many efforts to transform the state. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti."

The veteran BJP leader served as Madhya Pradesh chief minister from 2004-2005 and represented his traditional Govindpura Vidhan Sabha seat 10 times. Born on June 2, 1930 at Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh, Gaur emerged as a powerful and popular leader in Madhya Pradesh initially as a trade union leader and later as MLA.