Freedom fighter, former chief of Seva Dal and former Congress MP Manubhai Patel passed away here due to old age-related problems. He was 94.
"Manubhai died at his residence on Harni Road in the city late last night due to old-age related problems," Narendra Rawat, city unit of Congress president told PTI today.
The cremation will take place on Sunday afternoon, he added.
Patel had been elected as the member of Gujarat Assembly in 1962 from Savli seat in Vadodara district on Congress ticket and was made the Minister of Prohibition and Social Security of the state.
In 1967, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Vadodara seat and was also a member of the Rajya Sabha in 1978.
Patel was involved in many social, cultural and educational activities and all though his life worked for the uplift of weaker sections of the society. He had established a naturopathy centre in the city.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi condoled the death of Patel.
"Manubhai Patel's demise has created a void in the party and Congress will always remember his contribution in the freedom struggle and in strengthening the base of the party," Gandhi said in her message sent to the city Congress unit.
Ahmed Patel, political secretary of Sonia Gandhi and Rajya Sabha MP, also expressed grief over Patel's death.
"He was committed to Gandhian values and played important role to keep the ideology of Mahatma Gandhi alive today," he said.
Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) also condoled Patel's demise.
