Gandhinagar: A senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Gujarat Madhavsinh Solanki passed away at 94. Madhavsinh breathed his last at his residence in Gandhinagar.
Madhavsihn had served the nation as External Affairs Minister from June 1991 to March 1992.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and said “Madhavsinh Solanki was a formidable leader who played a key role in Gujarat politics for decades.”
In a tweet, PM Modi said that “Shri Madhavsinh Solanki Ji was a formidable leader, playing a key role in Gujarat politics for decades. He will be remembered for his rich service to society. Saddened by his demise. Spoke to his son, Bharat Solanki Ji and expressed condolences. Om Shanti.”
“Beyond politics, Shri Madhavsinh Solanki Ji enjoyed reading and was passionate about culture. Whenever I would meet him or speak to him, we would discuss books and he would tell me about a new book he recently read. I will always cherish the interactions we had,” PM Modi said in a tweet.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed sad feelings on Solanki’s death and said that “the leader will be remembered for his contribution to strengthening the Congress ideology and promoting social justice.”
Madhavsihn Solanki was a two-term MP of Rajya Sabha from Gujarat and he had been the longest-serving chief minister of the state before Narendra Modi became the CM.
Son of Madhavsinh Solanki – Bharatsinh Solanki is also a former Union minister.
Gujarat Congress President Amit Chavda also expressed sad feelings on the death of Madhavsinh Solanki and said “The death of Madhavsinh Solanki has brought extreme grief. May God give peace to his soul. He had made place in the hearts of people by his actions and deeds.”
Madhavsinh Solanki became the Gujarat chief minister for a brief time in 1976. In 1981, Madhavsinh Solanki again became the Chief Minister of Gujarat. As the Gujarat chief minister, Madhavsinh Solanki introduced the reservation for socially and economically backward classes.
Madhavsinh Solanki resigned in 1985 but later returned to power winning 149 out of 182 assembly seats.
_VINAYAK