Ahmedabad, Oct 21 – Yogendra Makwana, a veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister, died Tuesday, aged 88. He left a legacy of public service that stretched more than six decades.
Makwana was born on Oct 23 1933 in Sojitra village, Anand district, Gujarat. He earned a B.A., an LLB, and a Ph.D., making him one of the most educated politicians of his time.
Public service ran in the family. His wife, Shantaben Makwana, was elected to Gujarat’s first legislative assembly in 1962 and later served as Health and Water Resources Minister. Their daughter, Anuradha Mall, became an IAS officer and retired as Gujarat’s Additional Chief Secretary. Their son, Bharat Makwana, served as MLA from Sojitra and contested the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Ahmedabad and West.
Yogendra Makwana’s national career began as General Secretary of the Kheda District Praja Samajwadi Party before he joined the Congress at Indira Gandhi’s invitation. He held several key ministries in the Union Cabinet of Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi between 1980 and 1988, including Home Affairs, Planning, Communications, Steel and Mines, Health, and Agriculture. His time in office focused on strengthening governance and promoting inclusive growth.
Makwana was a strong voice for Scheduled Castes and other marginalised groups. In 2006, he was named Chairman of the Congress’s Scheduled Caste Department, where he pushed for welfare schemes like the Social Component Plan. He also helped resolve the Assam agitation by engaging with the All Assam Students Union and Assam Gana Parishad, paving the way for Prafulla Mahanta to become Assam’s Chief Minister.
Known for his pragmatic style, Makwana always sought to bring development benefits to the most disadvantaged communities. His ability to connect with people across social and political lines earned him wide respect and a lasting place in Indian politics.
He is survived by his wife, daughter, son and many colleagues who remember him as a devoted public servant and a bridge between communities.
Source: ianslive
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