Tragedy struck Gujarat’s BJP on Friday as Umarath MLA Govind Parmar, 82, passed away during treatment at an Anand hospital. Long-term health struggles had kept the veteran leader under medical supervision.
The announcement triggered widespread mourning among political leaders statewide, with BJP workers in Anand and Umarath leading emotional tributes. Parmar, revered as a true son of the soil from Charotar’s villages, leaves behind a legacy of dedicated service.
Born in 1943 to an ordinary family, Parmar completed schooling till the seventh standard and channeled his energies into politics and public welfare. His relatable persona made him a favorite among rural folk.
Electoral success came in 2017 when he overcame Congress’s Kapilaben Chavda in Umarath with a 1,883-vote lead, entering the assembly for the first time. In 2022, he retained the seat convincingly, garnering 95,639 votes against NCP’s Jayant Patel’s tally, securing a 26,717-vote margin.
State BJP president Jagdish Vishwakarma expressed devastation: ‘The sad news of Govindbhai Parmar’s passing, our Umarath MLA, fills me with profound sorrow. I beseech divine grace for his soul’s tranquility and resilience for his bereaved family.’
Parmar’s tenure highlighted his prowess in constituency-level engagement. Shraddhanjali events resonated through the district, celebrating his lifelong commitment.
As the Umarath seat becomes vacant, reflections on Parmar’s journey from modest roots to legislative halls underscore his pivotal role in BJP’s regional dominance.