Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Babulal Gaur dies at 89; Narendra Modi condoles demise of senior BJP leader

Bhopal: Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and senior BJP leader Babulal Gaur passed away on Wednesday morning at a private hospital after a prolonged illness.

Gaur (89) passed away due to cardiac arrest, Narmada Hospital Director, Dr Rajesh Sharma, told PTI.

He was suffering from various old-age related ailments and was hospitalised for quite some time.

The veteran BJP leader served as Madhya Pradesh chief minister from 2004-2005 and represented his traditional Govindpura Vidhan Sabha seat 10 times.

Born on June 2, 1930 at Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh, Gaur emerged as a powerful and popular leader in Madhya Pradesh initially as a trade union leader and later as MLA.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday condoled the demise of former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Babulal Gaur, saying he continuously worked to strengthen the party.

Modi said Gaur served people for decades and transformed the state.

“From Jana Sangh days, he worked constantly to strengthen our party. As Minister and Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh he undertook many efforts to transform the state,” the PM wrote on Twitter. “Saddened by his demise,” he added.

Shri Babulal Gaur Ji served people for decades. From Jana Sangh days, he worked constantly to strengthen our Party. As Minister and CM of Madhya Pradesh he undertook many efforts to transform the state. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 21, 2019

Gaur served as Madhya Pradesh chief minister from 2004-2005.