Former Gujarat CM Keshubhai Patel passed away

Former Gujarat Chief Minister and veteran leader Keshubhai Patel died here today. He was 92 years old. According to family sources, Mr. Patel, who was found corona infected sometime back, was first discharged from the hospital but today due to difficulty in breathing he was brought from his residence in Gandhinagar and admitted to a private hospital here where he breathed his last Lee. He also had diabetes and high blood pressure. His funeral will be performed in Gandhinagar with state honors this evening. In politics, he was senior to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is also considered one of his political gurus.

Several dignitaries including President Ramnath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Karnataka Governor and Vajubhai Vala, who were Ministers in his government, and Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and Congress Working State Head Hardik Patel. Condolences on his demise. The state government has announced one day state mourning.

Shri Patel, a stalwart of the Leuva Patel community in Gujarat, was born on 24 July 1928 in Visavadar, Junagadh district. Mr. Patel, who was the Chief Minister of Gujarat twice, was in this position for the first time in the year 1995. Eight months later, due to the rebellion of Shankarsinh Vaghela of BJP, his government fell. He later became the Chief Minister again in 1998 but had to step down in 2001 due to poor health. He was also associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He was also elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2002.

In 2012, he formed a new party Gujarat Parivartan Party, which merged with the BJP in 2014, breaking away from the BJP. Mr. Patel had then retired from active politics.

Mr. Patel's wife, who was the chairman of Somnath Temple Trust till her death, has already passed away. Two of his six sons (five sons and one daughter) have also passed away.