Gujarat’s Congress MLA from Chotila constituency Popatbhai Jinjariya passed away today morning in Apollo hospital in Ahmedabad due to illness. He was 51.

Popatbhai was admitted in the hospital for last twenty days. He passed away at 4 am in the morning today.

Popatbhai, a Koli community leader, started his career as a Taluka Panchayat member at Wankaner in Saurashtra. In 1985 he won from Wankaner seat as an independent MLA. In 1991 he was victorious on same seat, but on BJP ticket. In 1996 Popatbhai changed his constituency to fight and win from Chotila seat. He again fought election from Chotila on Congress ticket in 2007 and won.

Popatbhai was Panchayat Minister in Shankarsinh Vaghela’s Rashtriya Janata Party government. He was also made Parliamentary Secretary.

His body was taken to Rajkot where he would be cremated at 5pm in the evening.