Hyderabad: Former Gujarat chief minister Keshubhai Patel, who played a pivotal role in strengthening the BJP in the state, died on Thursday after a prolonged illness. Hospital authorities said Patel died due to cardiac arrest.
Patel was rushed to the hospital after his pulse and oxygen level dropped on Thursday morning, his son Bharat Patel said.
The BJP veteran was the state chief minister in 1995 and again during 1998-2001. Narendra Modi had succeeded him as Gujarat chief minister.
PM Modi consider Keshubhai Patel as his 'political guru'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi consider him as the 'political guru'. On several occasions, PM Modi had praised the former CM during the national events.
In March 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to Gujarat to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the temple of Goddess Annapurna. When he stepped on the stage, he touched the feet of former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel.
India mourns demise of the stalwart leader
Born in Visavadar town of Junagadh district in 1928, Patel joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1945 as a pracharak. He started his political career as a worker for the Jan Sangh. Patel was also the chairman of the Shree Somnath Trust, which manages the famous Somnath temple in Saurashtra region.
Also Read: PM Modi, Amit Shah, former Gujarat CM Keshubhai Patel attend Somnath trust meeting
