Former Maharashtra CM Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar passes away at 89 after brief illness; PM condoles death

Pune: Former Maharashtra chief minister Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar passed away on Wednesday after a brief illness, family sources said. Nilangekar, 89, died at a private hospital in Pune. He had recently tested positive for the novel coronavirus but, had recovered and was discharged after testing negative. Nilangekar, senior Congress leader from Latur in Marathwada region, was the state chief minister from June 1985 to March 1986. He resigned from the post when the Bombay High Court passed strictures against him after fraud was alleged in the results of the MD examination in 1985 “at his behest” to help his daughter and her friend get through. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday condoled the death of Nilangekar, saying he served the state diligently. “Shri Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar Ji was a stalwart of Maharashtra politics. He served the state diligently, especially working for the welfare of farmers and the poor,” the Prime Minister’s Office tweeted. “Anguished by his demise. My thoughts are with his family and supporters. Om Shanti,” the prime minister said.