Former Union Minister And Veteran Congress Leader Madhavsinh Solanki Passes Away At 93

Ahmedabad: Madhavsinh Solanki, the former foreign minister and Congress veteran who had also served as Chief Minister of Gujarat for four terms, passed away in Gandhinagar on early Saturday morning, Congress leaders said. He was 93.

"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.

He had served as External Affairs Minister from June 1991 to March 1992.

Solanki was a two term MP of Rajya Sabha from Gujarat.

He had floated an idea of an alliance of Kshitriya, Harijan, Adivasi (tribal) and Muslim (KHAM) casts and communities in Gujarat for Congress to win elections.

He had been the longest serving chief minister of the state before Narendra Modi became CM. His son Bharatsinh Solanki is also a former Union minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to condole the demise of Solanki’s.

"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," said Modi in one of his tweets.

"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," added the PM in another tweet.

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.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 9, 2021

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also condoled the death of Solanki and said that the latter 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.

Heartfelt condolences to his family & friends.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 9, 2021

(With PTI Inputs)