Senior Congress leader Rameshwar Lal Dudi passed away late Friday night at his residence in Bikaner following a long period of illness. He was 62. Dudi had been in a coma for over two years after suffering a brain hemorrhage in August 2023.

His last rites are scheduled for Saturday afternoon in the Jat Bagh area of Bikaner, with a number of state and party dignitaries expected to attend.

Political Journey and Legacy

Rameshwar Dudi was a prominent face in Rajasthan politics. He served as a Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Bikaner between 1999 and 2004. Later, he held the position of Leader of the Opposition in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly from 2013 to 2018.

He was also known for his strong base among farmers and rural communities in western Rajasthan, particularly in Bikaner district and adjoining areas.

Illness, Coma, and Final Days

In August 2023, Dudi suffered a brain hemorrhage and was admitted first to SMS Hospital in Jaipur and later transferred to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram for advanced treatment. He never fully recovered and remained in a comatose state for over two years. In recent months, due to health deterioration, he was brought back to Bikaner, where he breathed his last.

Multiple senior Congress leaders, including former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, expressed deep grief. Gehlot described Dudi’s passing as a “personal shock,” noting his dedication to public service and farmers’ welfare.

Reactions and Aftermath

The official Congress leadership in Rajasthan acknowledged Dudi’s contributions and mourned the void his departure will leave in the party’s rural and organizational politics. The state’s Chief Minister also expressed sorrow, calling the news “extremely heartbreaking.”

In political circles, analysts note that Dudi’s death comes at a delicate time for the party in western Rajasthan, a region where agrarian issues and grassroots influence are pivotal. His absence may shift dynamics in candidate selection, farmer outreach, and rural leadership.