Former MP CM and BJP stalwart Kailash Joshi passes away at 90

Bhopal: Kailash Joshi, one of the tallest leaders in the State and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, who set a benchmark for political sagacity and probity in public life, passed away here on Sunday shortly before noon. He was 90.

Joshi was ailing for some months and was admitted to a private hospital. His death has cast a gloom in the political circles across parties in Madhya Pradesh and in Chhattisgarh, which was part of the undivided state he headed as the Chief Minister from June 1977 to January 1978. Both states have declared a day’s mourning.

The State BJP has now lost two stalwarts in a span of three months after Babulal Gaur, one of Joshi’s successors and friends, passed away in August.

Joshi’s body will be kept at the state BJP office here for a day for people to pay homage. His family members want to perform the last rites at Hatpipalya in Dewas district on Monday.

Joshi was a founding member of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the previous avatar of the BJP, in 1951.

Joshi was chosen to head the Janata Party government in the state after the Emergency. On June 26, 1977, he was chosen as the Chief Minister against the wishes of the Jana Sangh component of the Janata Party which wanted Virendra Kumar Sakhlecha at the helm of affairs in Madhya Pradesh.

Condoling Joshi’s death, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath tweeted: “The death of Kailash Joshi, a soft-spoken, simple, easygoing personality is an irreparable loss in the political field. My condolences to the family.”

In a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Joshi had contributed towards Madhya Pradesh’s growth.

“Kailash Joshi was a stalwart who made a strong contribution towards Madhya Pradesh’s growth. He worked hard to strengthen Jan Sangh and BJP in Central India. He made a mark as an effective legislator. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti,” Modi said. (IANS)

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