NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, JAN 9
गुजरात के पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री, देश के पूर्व विदेश मंत्री @INCIndia वरिष्ठ नेता आदरणीय श्री माधवसिंहजी सोलंकी का देहांत की खबर दुःखद है। उन्होंने स्वभाव और कार्यों से लोगो के दिल में अपनी एक अलग जगह बनाई थी। ईश्वर उनकी पवित्र आत्मा को शांति प्रदान करे।#ॐ_शांति #Madhavsinhsolanki pic.twitter.com/W6dn2XHGyD
— Gujarat Congress (@INCGujarat) January 9, 2021
Former foreign minister and Congress veteran Madhavsinh Solanki, who had also served as chief minister of Gujarat, died in Gandhinagar on early Saturday morning, Congress leaders said.
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
He was 93.
“The death of Madhavsinh Solanki has brought extreme grief. May God give peace to his soul. He had made a 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.
गुजरात और @INCIndia के वरिष्ठतम नेता, पूर्वCM,पूर्व केंद्रीय मंत्री,हमारे सभीके राजकीय मार्गदर्शक श्री माधवसिंह सोलंकीजी का निधन बेहद दुखद है।
मेरे साथी श्री @BharatSolankee जी समेत परिवारके साथ मेरी संवेदना प्रकट करता हूँ।
माधवसिंह जीके आत्माको परम शांति हेतु मेरी प्रार्थनाएँ। pic.twitter.com/xoeQ35fUbx
— Arjun Modhwadia (@arjunmodhwadia) January 9, 2021
He had floated an idea of an alliance of Kshatriya, 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.
ગુજરાતના પૂર્વ મુખ્યમંત્રી અને પૂર્વ કેન્દ્રીય મંત્રી શ્રી માધવસિંહ સોલંકીના દુઃખદ અવસાનથી શોકમગ્ન છું. ગુજરાતના જાહેરજીવનને તેમની ખોટ હંમેશા રહેશે. પ્રભુ તેમના દિવ્ય આત્માને સદ્ગતી અર્પે તેમજ પરિવાર-શુભેચ્છકોને આ દુ:ખ સહન કરવાની શક્તિ બક્ષે એ જ પ્રભુ ચરણોમાં પ્રાર્થના.
ૐ શાંતિ.
— Vijay Rupani Memorial (@vijayrupanibjp) January 9, 2021
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has declared a one-day mourning. The last rites of the departed leader will be held with full state honours, the state government said in a release.
The CM cancelled all his engagements for a day and a special meeting of the Cabinet was convened to express condolences, where a two-minute silence was observed.
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
Nation lost an unmatched leader in demise of Solanki: Prez Kovind
Solanki will be long remembered as much for his role in shaping modern Gujarat as for his inimitable warmth, charm, and love for literature, said the president.
Veteran Congress leader Solanki died in Gandhinagar early Saturday morning.
“In the demise of Shri Madhavsinh Solanki, the nation has lost an unmatched leader. He will be long remembered as much for his role in shaping modern Gujarat as for his inimitable warmth, charm, and love for literature. My condolences to his family and well-wishers,” Koivnd tweeted.
Rahul Gandhi condoles
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,” Gandhi tweeted.
“Heartfelt condolences to his family & friends,” he said.
#गुजरात के पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री, @INCIndia के वरिष्ठ नेता व गुजरातवासियों के चहेते श्री माधव सिंह सोलंकी जी की मृत्यु का समाचार सुनकर मुझे गहरा दुःख हुआ।
मैं ईश्वर से उनकी आत्मा की शान्ति के लिए प्रार्थना करता हूँ।
ॐ शान्ति ॐ pic.twitter.com/0xS94Sk1tt
— Jitendra Baghel / जितेन्द्र बघेल (@JitendraBaghel_) January 9, 2021
Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays homage
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday condoled the demise of former Gujarat chief minister Madhavsinh Solanki and said he was a formidable leader who played a key role in the state’s politics for decades.
“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,” Modi said in a tweet.
“Saddened by his demise. Spoke to his son, Bharat Solanki Ji, and expressed condolences. Om Shanti,” he said.
Modi also said that beyond politics, Madhavsinh Solanki 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,” the prime minister said.