BJP Broke Its Own Age Rule for Him — Now Gujarat’s Most Senior MLA Yogesh Patel Bids Farewell
Vadodara, June 3, 2026 — He started his political life in the Congress, walked with Maneka Gandhi into the Janata Dal, joined the BJP in 1995, and then became almost impossible to dislodge. Yesterday, the curtain came down on one of Gujarat’s most remarkable political careers when Yogeshbhai Narayandas Patel, the eight-time MLA and most senior member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, passed away in Vadodara at the age of 79 after a prolonged illness.
From Congress Rebel to BJP’s “Undroppable” Veteran
Born on 23 July 1946 in Vadodara, Patel completed his SSC from Sharda Mandir High School and later earned a diploma in Civil and Mechanical Engineering from MS University. His political journey began in the 1970s with the Congress. He later drifted away and became active in a Sanjay Gandhi Vichar Manch, before following Maneka Gandhi into the Janata Dal.
In 1990, he won his first assembly election from Raopura on a Janata Dal ticket. A year after joining the BJP in 1995, he began a streak that would define his legacy — five consecutive victories from Raopura (1995, 1998, 2002, 2007) and three more from the newly carved Manjalpur constituency after delimitation (2012, 2017, 2022).
He never lost an election in 36 years.
The 2022 Drama: Too Old for the Ticket?
In the run-up to the 2022 Gujarat elections, BJP’s informal 75-year age cap had become a talking point. Yet when the final list was announced, Manjalpur was the very last seat the party declared. The reason? They had decided to field the 76-year-old sitting MLA once again.
Patel himself revealed he got a call from senior leader CR Paatil and was asked to file his nomination. He went on to win by a massive margin of over 1 lakh votes — one of his biggest victories.
Minister, Pro-tem Speaker & Shiva Devotee
During his long career, Patel served as Minister of State for Narmada and Urban Housing in the Vijay Rupani government. In December 2022, he was appointed Pro-tem Speaker of the Gujarat Assembly.
Beyond politics, he was a known Shiva devotee. He constructed temples in his constituency and played a key role in the beautification of the iconic Sursagar Lake Shiva statue, including a gold facade project through his Suvarna Sankalp Foundation.
Even in his later years, he remained outspoken — whether writing to the District Collector on land disputes or publicly demanding that tickets be given to local workers rather than outsiders.
Tributes Pour In
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat BJP President Jagdish Vishwakarma, and senior leaders across the spectrum expressed grief. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as a “true people’s leader,” while Home Minister Amit Shah also paid rich tributes.
For many in Vadodara, Patel represented continuity — a bridge between the old-school organisational politics and the new generation. His death leaves a significant void in the city’s BJP unit, especially in Manjalpur and the surrounding areas where he was deeply rooted.
An Era Ends
Yogeshbhai Patel’s story is that of political survival and adaptability. From the turbulence of the 1970s and 80s to becoming one of the longest-serving MLAs in Gujarat, he remained electorally undefeated till the very end.
As Vadodara mourns the passing of its most senior legislator, one thing is certain — the city has lost not just a politician, but a political institution.
Rest in peace, Yogeshbhai.
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