Rajkot, December 21: Sitting Rajya Sabha BJP MP Suryakant Acharya passed away at his residence in Junagadh early today, party sources said. He was 80.
Acharya, a lawyer and tax consultant by profession, was in critical condition for the past few days due to age-related ailments, the sources said. He was close to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. He had served in various capacities in the state, including as ice-president of state planning commission in the Keshubhai Patel government. He had also worked for the weaker sections and tribals.
He actively worked for the Jan Sangh in the remotest parts of tribal Gujarat in areas like Dang’s, Valsad, Chhota Udepur, Panchamahal and Sabarkantha. His wife, Hemaben, was minister of Health in the state government between 1975 and 1980. In March 2006, he was appointed member of the Science and Technology, Environment and Forest Committee of Rajya Sabha. He was also a member of Urban Development Parliamentary committee.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day without conducting any business following Acharya’s demise
—-Agencies