The Bharatiya Janata Party in Gujarat is in grief following the death of its Umarath MLA Govind Parmar on Friday at an Anand hospital. The 82-year-old succumbed after prolonged treatment for health ailments.
Reactions poured in from across the state, with Anand district’s BJP fraternity and Umarath residents uniting in sorrow. Parmar stood out as a grassroots icon, intimately linked to Charotar region’s farming communities.
From a simple background since his 1943 birth, Parmar pursued education only up to class seven, thereafter embracing a life of political activism and social work. His genuine empathy won hearts.
He made history in 2017, wresting Umarath from Congress’s Kapilaben Chavda by 1,883 votes for his inaugural assembly term. In 2022, he romped home with 95,639 votes, trouncing NCP’s Jayant Patel by 26,717 votes.
BJP state president and MLA Jagdish Vishwakarma mourned deeply: ‘Devastated by the loss of Umarath’s esteemed MLA Govindbhai Parmar. Praying for his soul’s peace and strength for his loved ones.’
Parmar’s career exemplified boots-on-the-ground politics, prioritizing local development. Party faithful in Anand held vigils, offering floral tributes to the fallen comrade.
Umarath’s legislative vacancy sparks bypoll speculation, yet Parmar’s narrative of rising through sheer public connect endures as a testament to enduring political values.