Former Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Kamlesh Patel passed away on Thursday. Patel represented the Maninagar assembly seat in Ahmedabad during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Patel, a foundational member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), held the Maninagar seat until he vacated it to make way for the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
Patel was regarded as one of Modi’s closest and most trusted allies. His decision to vacate the Maninagar seat allowed Modi to win by a substantial margin, cementing his influence in the region.
Patel later played a pivotal role as the Chairman of Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd(TCGL). Under his leadership, tourism saw remarkable growth, with an increase of over 16%. He led successful campaigns, such as “Kuch Din Toh Bitaao Gujarat Mein” with Amitabh Bachchan, which brought considerable attention to Gujarat’s vibrant cultural events, including the Kite Festival, Vibrant Navratri, the Rann Utsav, and the Saputara Monsoon Festival.
Patel’s hands-on approach and openness to new ideas made him a well-loved figure in the tourism sector. He was known for attending events as a chief guest, engaging with organisers, and bringing infectious enthusiasm to the Gujarat Tourism office.
Also Read: At Least Six Governors Including UP’s Anandiben Patel To Be Changed, Soon
