Former Gujarat CM Madhavsinh Solanki dies at 94

Veteran Congress leader Madhavsinh Solanki, who served as former Chief Minister of Gujarat, passed away on Saturday morning at age of 94.

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Former Gujarat CM Madhavsinh Solanki dies at 94
Madhavsinh Solanki passed away at the age of 94.

Senior Congress leader Madhavsinh Solanki, who served as former Chief Minister of Gujarat and External Affairs Minister from June 1991 to March 1992, passed away on Saturday morning. Madhavsinh Solanki died at the age of 94. He breathed his last at his residence in Gandhinagar.

"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," Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda, who is also a relative of Solanki, tweeted.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Madhavsinh Solanki was a formidable leader who played a key role in Gujarat politics for decades.

In a tweet, PM Modi said, "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.

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Saturday condoled the demise of veteran party leader Madhavsinh Solanki and said he will be remembered for his contribution in strengthening the Congress ideology and promoting social justice.

"Saddened by the demise of Shri Madhavsinh Solanki. He will be remembered for his contribution in strengthening the Congress ideology & promoting social justice," Rahul Gandhi tweeted, adding, "Heartfelt condolences to his family & friends."

Solanki was a two-term MP of Rajya Sabha from Gujarat. He had been the longest-serving chief minister of the state before Narendra Modi became the CM. His son Bharatsinh Solanki is also a former Union minister.

Madhavsinh Solanki is known came to power in Gujarat in the 1980s on the KHAM (Kshatriya, Harijan, Adivasi, Muslim) formula. Before the 1980 election in Gujarat, Madhavsinh Solanki stitched the KHAM alliance to shift the power balance. He was a lawyer by profession.

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.

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Madhavsinh Solanki resigned in 1985 but later returned to power winning 149 out of 182 assembly seats.

(With PTI inputs)