Bhopal/Ratlam, Nov 8 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mohan Yadav, expressed his deep sorrow on Saturday regarding the passing of former Congress MLA Lahling Devda, who passed away on Friday.

In a heartfelt message on X, CM Yadav stated: “The news of the passing of Shri Lahling Devda, former MLA of the Sailana Assembly constituency, is deeply saddening. We pray to God to grant the departed soul a place in His feet and give the bereaved family the strength to bear this loss.”

The 70-year-old former Congress legislator succumbed at a hospital in Vadodara (Gujarat) on Friday evening after a four-day struggle for survival.

His remains were returned to his native village, Chawani Bhabhar, late Friday night. His last rites took place on Saturday morning at the local crematorium, attended by hundreds of mourners from the surrounding tribal regions.

This seasoned politician from the Sailana constituency in Ratlam district sustained severe injuries when he was struck from behind by a speeding motorcycle while taking a leisurely walk near his residence in Chawani Bhabhar (Bajna) village on November 5.

Witnesses described the harrowing incident that occurred around 7 p.m. on Friday. They noted that Devda, dressed in his signature white kurta-pajama, was violently knocked forward, his head colliding with the uneven pavement. The resulting trauma to his skull, face, and torso left him unconscious, surrounded by a pool of blood.

“He was merely enjoying his evening stroll when the bike appeared out of nowhere -- no lights, no slowing down,” recounted neighbor Ramesh Gamad, who assisted in lifting the injured leader.

His family rushed him to Bajna Government Hospital, where medical professionals stabilized him before transferring him to Ratlam District Hospital. As internal bleeding escalated, he was moved to a private medical facility in Ratlam and ultimately airlifted to a leading trauma center in Vadodara.

Despite extensive medical intervention, including surgery for cranial fractures, Devda passed away at 6:45 p.m.

Following a complaint lodged by Devda’s nephew, Laxman, the Bajna police filed an FIR under various sections of the law. They retrieved the abandoned motorcycle 200 meters from the incident site.

“Both riders, thought to be in their early 20s, fell but fled the scene,” stated police officials.

CCTV footage from a local panchayat office and a nearby shop is currently under review to identify the suspects, with sketches expected by Saturday evening.

Devda was elected as an MLA in 1993 on a Congress ticket, defeating Janata Dal’s Bherusingh Damor by a margin of 12,000 votes, advocating for irrigation projects and ST reservations.

After a brief period with the BJP in the late 1990s, he returned to Congress, where he played a vital role in mentoring young Adivasi leaders until his retirement.

Known for his humble lifestyle, he often dined with village residents and was remembered fondly by a fellow Congressman as the “people’s Lahling bhai.”

As condolences flood in, Congress state chief Jitu Patwari referred to him as “Sailana’s heartbeat.”