Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kailash Joshi passed away on Sunday, sources in his family said. He was 90.

“He breathed his last at the Bansal Hospital here,” his son and former state minister Deepak Joshi.

Kailash Joshi was unwell for a couple of years and was admitted to a private hospital last month after he complained of discomfort, a media report said.

In April, he was diagnosed with pulmonary complications and was also suffering from diabetes-related complications.

The former chief minister is survived by three sons and three daughters. His wife died a few months back, a source said.

The last rites will be performed on Monday at his ancestral town Hatpipalya in Dewas district, former BJP MP Alok Sanjar said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on Kailash Joshi’s demise via a tweet. “Kailash Joshi Ji was a stalwart who made a strong contribution towards Madhya Pradesh’s growth. He worked hard to strengthen Jan Sangh and BJP in Central India. He made a mark as an effective legislator. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti,” the tweet said.

Kailash Joshi Ji was a stalwart who made a strong contribution towards Madhya Pradesh’s growth. He worked hard to strengthen Jan Sangh and BJP in Central India. He made a mark as an effective legislator. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti.

Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 24, 2019

Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah condoled Kailash Joshi’s death saying, “Received the news of sad demise of former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and senior BJP leader Kailash Joshi. He was a leader who was down to earth and all stood for welfare of the public. He played an important role in thriving the organisation in MP. I express my condolences to his family.”

Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 24, 2019On the demise of Kailash Joshi, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath tweeted, “The demise of Kailashji, who was a soft-spoken, simple, congenial person, is an irreparable loss in the field of politics. My condolences to the family. May god grant them the power to bear this grief in their shrine.”,

Office Of Kamal Nath (@OfficeOfKNath) November 24, 2019Senior BJP leader and former state chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reached the hospital soon after getting information about Kailash Joshi’s death.

BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who served as the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh from 2005 to 2018, tweeted, “Today, Madhya Pradesh has lost one of its gems. Kailash Joshi, who committed his whole life to the upliftment and welfare of the poor and deprived, will always remain in the hearts of the people of Madhya Pradesh. I pay homage to reverence! Om Shanti!”, ! !

Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) November 24, 2019Born on July 14, 1929, Kailash Joshi, who was called as the ‘saint of politics’, served as the state’s chief minister from 1977 to 1978.

He was MLA for eight terms and also served as member of both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.

(With inputs from PTI)