Former Gujarat CM Keshubhai Patel Passes Away At 92, PM Modi Grieves At The 'Irreparable Loss'

Former Gujarat CM Keshubhai Patel died on Thursday at the age of 92. He had tested positive for coronavirus last month.

Image (Twitter/ Narendra Modi)

New Delhi: Former Gujarat chief minister Keshubhai Patel passed away on Thursday after suffering from prolonged illness. Media reports say that in the morning today he was rushed to a hospital in Ahmedabad where he breathed his last. A report by Times of India says that the veteran political leader had tested positive for coronavirus last month. He served as the chief minister of Gujarat in 1995 and from 1998 to 2001. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences and said that his demise was an irreparable loss. He also said that Patel had groomed and mentored many young party workers.

Keshubhai mentored and groomed many younger Karyakartas including me. Everyone loved his affable nature. His demise is an irreparable loss. We are all grieving today. My thoughts are with his family and well-wishers. Spoke to his son Bharat and expressed condolences. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/p9HF3D5b7y

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 29, 2020

Keshubhai travelled across the length and breadth of Gujarat to strengthen the Jana Sangh and BJP. He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. Issues of farmer welfare were closest to his heart. Be it as MLA, MP, Minister or CM, he ensured many farmer friendly measures were passed. pic.twitter.com/qvXxG0uHvo

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 29, 2020

Our beloved and respected Keshubhai has passed away…I am deeply pained and saddened. He was an outstanding leader who cared for every section of society. His life was devoted towards the progress of Gujarat and the empowerment of every Gujarati. pic.twitter.com/pmahHWetIX

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 29, 2020

Keshubhai Patel won the assembly elections in the state six times. In 2012, Keshubhai Patel left the BJP and formed his new party 'Gujarat Parivartan Party'. He was elected MLA from Visavadar seat in the 2012 state assembly elections but later resigned in 2014 due to ill health. In 1945, Keshubhai Patel joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh as a pracharak. He also went to jail during the Emergency in 1975.