Bikaner / Senior Congress Leader and Former LoP Rameshwar Dudi Passes Away at 62 After Long Coma

Bikaner . The political landscape of Rajasthan is in mourning following the demise of senior Congress leader and prominent Jat face, Rameshwar Dudi, who passed away late Friday night at the age of 62.

Dudi, a highly respected figure in the state's politics, breathed his last around 12:30 AM. His death comes after a prolonged battle, having been in a coma for the last 25 months following a severe brain stroke. His health condition had deteriorated significantly after the incident, which occurred in August 2023. He had recently been shifted from a specialized medical facility in Delhi back to his residence in Bikaner, where his nephew, Atul Dudi, confirmed the tragic news on Saturday morning.

The news has sent a wave of grief across the state, with leaders from the Congress party and across the political spectrum expressing deep condolences for the veteran leader.

A Powerful Voice for Farmers and the Grassroots

Born on July 1, 1963, Rameshwar Lal Dudi’s political journey was a testament to his deep connection with the rural populace, particularly the farmers of North-Western Rajasthan. He started his career in student politics (NSUI) but quickly transitioned to the grassroots level, becoming a formidable local leader.

• Grassroots Foundation: His political rise began in 1995 when he became a Panchayat Samiti member and subsequently served as the Pradhan (Head) of the Nokha Panchayat Samiti.

• Parliamentary Success: Leveraging his popularity, Dudi successfully contested the Lok Sabha elections from the Bikaner constituency in 1999 and served as a Member of Parliament until 2004.

• Leader of the Opposition: One of the most significant chapters in his career was his tenure as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly. Despite the Congress party's heavy defeat in the 2013 assembly elections, Dudi secured a win from the Nokha seat. He then led the opposition from January 23, 2013, to December 13, 2018, effectively challenging the then-ruling government led by Vasundhara Raje. His aggressive, yet grounded, approach to raising issues concerning agriculture, water scarcity, and rural development earned him widespread admiration and established him as one of the Congress party's strongest orators in the House.

• Current Role: At the time of his passing, he was serving as the Chairman of the Rajasthan State Agro Industries Development Board, holding a cabinet minister rank, demonstrating his continued importance within the Congress structure. He had also served as Zila Pramukh twice.

Dudi was widely known for his simple lifestyle, his relentless fight for the rights of farmers, and his ability to mobilize significant support in the Jat heartland of the state. His political acumen and ability to connect directly with the masses made him an indispensable figure for the Congress in the region.

Funeral and Tributes

The final rites and cremation of the veteran leader are scheduled to take place today, Saturday, at 11 AM at the cremation ground near Pugal Phanta in Bikaner. The funeral procession will commence from his private residence. A large number of supporters, party workers, and senior political figures from across Rajasthan are expected to gather to pay their final respects.

Chief Minister, former Chief Ministers, and various political figures have offered heartfelt tributes, acknowledging Dudi’s immense contribution to the state's development and democratic processes. His loss is considered a major setback for the Congress party, particularly in the run-up to the upcoming political challenges.

Rameshwar Dudi's legacy will endure as that of a grassroots leader who rose to the highest echelons of state politics while never losing touch with the people he represented.