Paras Chandra Jain, six-time Ujjain MLA and ex-MP Minister, dies at 73
Synopsis
Paras Chandra Jain, the six-time Ujjain North MLA known as 'Paras Pahalwan', died at 73 after battling a lung condition. A minister across multiple BJP governments in Madhya Pradesh from 2005 to 2018, he was as recognisable on his scooter in Ujjain's lanes as he was in the state cabinet — a rare combination that made him one of the Malwa region's most durable political figures.
Key Takeaways
Paras Chandra Jain , senior BJP leader and former Madhya Pradesh minister, died on 3 August in Indore at age 73 .
He represented the Ujjain North Assembly constituency six times — in 1990, 1993, 2003, 2008, 2013 , and 2018 .
Jain served as a state minister between 2005 and 2018 , handling portfolios including School Education, Energy , and Forest .
He was popularly known as 'Paras Pahalwan' for his passion for wrestling and his grassroots accessibility.
CM Mohan Yadav and state BJP president Hemant Khandelwal both paid tribute on X .
He is survived by his wife and two children ; last rites were held in Ujjain on Monday.
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Madhya Pradesh minister Paras Chandra Jain passed away on Monday, 3 August while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Indore, his family confirmed. He was 73. Jain had been hospitalised after complaining of fluid accumulation in his lungs and died during the course of treatment.
A Career Spanning Three Decades
Jain held the Ujjain North Assembly seat for six consecutive terms — in 1990, 1993, 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2018 — making him one of the BJP's most enduring electoral forces in the Malwa region. His legislative career stretched over three decades and was marked by an unbroken connection with his constituency.
Between 2005 and 2018, Jain served as a minister in successive BJP governments in Madhya Pradesh, handling portfolios including School Education, Higher Education, Energy, Forest, Food and Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection.
The Man Behind the Minister
Widely known by the nickname 'Paras Pahalwan' — a nod to his lifelong passion for wrestling — Jain was regarded as a grassroots politician who remained accessible despite holding senior government positions. He was often seen navigating the lanes of Ujjain on his scooter, stopping to meet residents over tea and snacks. This ground-level connect, rare among senior ministers, defined his public image as much as his legislative record.
Tributes Pour In
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the passing, writing on X: 'I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of senior BJP leader, former minister and former Ujjain North MLA Paras Chandra Jain ji. I offer my humble tributes to him. I pray to Baba Mahakal to grant the departed soul a place at His holy feet and give the bereaved family the strength to bear this immense grief.'
State BJP president Hemant Khandelwal also condoled the death on X, calling it a significant loss for the party. 'His life, dedicated to public service and the ideology of the organisation, will continue to inspire party workers. His contributions will always be remembered,' Khandelwal wrote.
Several other party leaders and workers joined in expressing condolences, describing Jain's death as a great loss for the BJP in Madhya Pradesh.
Last Rites and Survivors
Jain is survived by his wife and two children. His last rites were scheduled to be performed in Ujjain later on Monday. His death closes a political chapter that spanned more than three decades and leaves a significant void in the Malwa region's BJP leadership.
Point of View
Tea-sharing politician is a vanishing archetype in an era of managed optics. His six consecutive wins from Ujjain North reflect a constituency bond that most modern legislators struggle to build. The Malwa BJP now loses a figure who served as both an electoral anchor and an organisational stabiliser across three decades, and finding that combination in a single successor will not be straightforward.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Paras Chandra Jain?
Paras Chandra Jain was a senior BJP leader and former Madhya Pradesh minister who represented the Ujjain North Assembly constituency six times between 1990 and 2018. He served as a state minister from 2005 to 2018, handling portfolios including School Education, Energy, and Forest.
How did Paras Chandra Jain die?
Paras Chandra Jain passed away on 3 August while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Indore. He had been admitted after complaining of fluid accumulation in his lungs and died during the course of treatment at age 73.
Why was Paras Chandra Jain called 'Paras Pahalwan'?
He earned the nickname 'Paras Pahalwan' due to his lifelong passion for wrestling. The moniker also reflected his robust, ground-level political style — he was known for travelling on his scooter through Ujjain to meet ordinary residents.
Who paid tribute to Paras Chandra Jain after his death?
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and state BJP president Hemant Khandelwal both posted tributes on X, calling his death a significant loss. Several other party leaders and workers also condoled his passing.
How many times was Paras Chandra Jain elected as MLA?
Paras Chandra Jain was elected to the Madhya Pradesh Assembly six times from the Ujjain North constituency — in 1990, 1993, 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2018, making him one of the BJP's most consistent electoral performers in the Malwa region.
