Former Gujarat minister, 8-time BJP MLA Yogesh Patel passes away at 79

VADODARA: Former Gujarat minister and eight-time BJP MLA Yogesh Patel passed away in Vadodara on Tuesday after a prolonged illness, party leaders said. He was 79.Patel, the sitting MLA from Manjalpur in Vadodara city, had been unwell for some time and was undergoing treatment at a local hospital for the past two days due to age-related health issues, according to news agency PTI.A veteran BJP leader, Patel had a political career spanning over three decades and served as a legislator for 36 years. He was elected to the Gujarat Assembly eight consecutive times, beginning in 1990.He represented Vadodara's Raopura constituency five times before moving to the Manjalpur seat following the delimitation of constituencies. Patel won from Raopura in 1990, 1995, 1998, 2002 and 2007. He later secured victories from Manjalpur in the 2012, 2017 and 2022 Assembly elections.During his political career, Patel also served as Minister of State for Narmada and Urban Housing in the government led by then chief minister Vijay Rupani.Condoling his death, Gujarat BJP president Jagdish Vishwakarma said Patel's contribution to public service and the party would be remembered for years to come."The news of the demise of Yogesh Patel, a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the MLA from Manjalpur, is extremely heart-breaking. His contribution to public service and the organisation over decades will always be remembered," he said in a statement. CM Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel stated, 'I express my grief over the passing of Yogeshbhai Patel, the MLA from Manjalpur. He was tirelessly devoted to his duties in national service and public service, and he had earned a special place in the hearts of the common people. I pray that God grant peace to his soul and give strength to the bereaved family and supporters to bear this sorrow."