Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Babulal Gaur died after suffering a cardiac arrest in Bhopal on Wednesday morning. He was 89.
The Bharatiya Janata Party leader had several age-related ailments and was at the Narmada Hospital for some time, PTI reported.
Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon, Union ministers Narendra Singh Tomar, Thawar Chand Gehlot and Nityanand Rai, BJP Vice President Shivraj Singh Chouhan and state BJP chief Rakesh Singh were among those present for Gaur’s funeral. The BJP leader was cremated with full state honours.
Gaur was the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh from August 2004 to November 2005. He was a 10-time MLA from Govindpura. He is also credited with helping the BJP to grow in the state. He retired from electoral politics in 2018 due to old age.
The Madhya Pradesh government declared a three-day mourning period following Gaur’s death, ANI reported. Chief Minister Kamal Nath and many state ministers visited Gaur’s home in Bhopal in the morning to pay homage.
Gaur served people for several decades and constantly worked to strengthen the party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his tribute. “As minister and CM of Madhya Pradesh he undertook many efforts to transform the state,” Modi tweeted. “Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti.”
Several other senior BJP leaders also expressed their condolences. Here are some reactions:
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