Rajasthan BJP Chief Madan Lal Saini Passes Away at Delhi's AIIMS; PM Modi, Gehlot Condole Death

New Delhi: President of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Rajasthan unit Madan Lal Saini has passed away at Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences where he was undergoing treatment, a spokesperson of the party said. Saini, also a Rajya Sabha MP, was 75.

He was diagnosed with infection in lungs and was admitted at a private hospital in Jaipur. On Saturday, he was shifted to Delhi owing to his deteriorating health conditions and was being treated under the Hematology Department at AIIMS.

"He was later shifted to the ICU after his condition further deteriorated. He passed away today around 7.09 pm," a source at AIIMS said.

Saini, who hailed from Sikar district, was appointed BJP state president last year. He was a former MLA and RSS volunteer who held various posts in the Bhartiya Kisan Morcha as well.

An obituary will be for Saini will be read out in the Rajya Sabha tomorrow before the house is adjourned for the day.

A pall of gloom descended at the party's state headquarters in Jaipur where a large number of BJP leaders and workers gathered after hearing the news of Saini's death.

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said Saini's body, after embalming, will be taken to Jaipur at night and kept at the BJP office from 7.30 am to 10 am for the people to pay their last respects, after which it will be taken to Sikar. "The last rites will be performed at 3 pm there," he said.

Terming Saini's death as a loss to the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "The passing away of Shri Madanlal Saini Ji is a major loss for the BJP family. He contributed to strengthening the Party in Rajasthan. He was widely respected for his congenial nature and community service efforts. My thoughts are with his family and supporters. Om Shanti."

Condoling Saini's demise, chief minister Ashok Gehlot said, "Shocked and saddened to hear about the passing away of Sh. Madan Lal Saini ji, President of BJP #Rajasthan. My thoughts and prayers are with his family members. May God give them strength to bear this loss. May his soul rest in peace."

Vice president M Venkaiah Naidu expressed shock over the sudden demise of senior party leader.

Condoling the members of Saini's family, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he was a true public servant whose whole life was devoted to the party and society. Saini was instrumental in strengthening the BJP in Rajasthan, he added.

BJP's working president JP Nadda said Saini dedicated his entire life for society and his passing away was an irreparable loss for the party.

Former chief minister Vasundhara Raje said Saini was not only a leader of unparallel image, but also a true and grounded worker of the party.

(With PTI inputs)