Gandhinagar: Senior Congress leader Madhavsinh Solanki, who served as former Chief Minister of Gujarat, passed away on Saturday morning.
Madhavsinh Solanki died at the age of 94. He breathed his last at his residence in Gandhinagar.
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.
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.
Madhavsinh Solanki resigned in 1985 but later returned to power winning 149 out of 182 assembly seats.
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