Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the death of NCP stalwart and former state Home Minister R R Patil, describing him as a “grassroot politician and a remarkable legislator”.
Fadnavis visited Lilavati Hospital where Patil breathed his last, to pay his respects and said that the demise of the NCP leader is a “very sad moment” for him and the people of Maharashtra. “Patil’s funeral will be conducted with full state honours (tomorrow) and a one-day mourning will be observed as mark of respect,” Fadnavis said.
Patil was a sensitive leader for whom welfare of the common man was a prime concern, the chief minister said, adding, the state required many more years of service from Patil. Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal described the passing away of Patil, a six-term MLA from Tasgaon in Sangli district, as “tragic and unfortunate” saying the party has lost a strong pillar.
A visibly-shaken Bhujbal told reporters outside the Lilavati Hospital that Patil’s organs started failing since yesterday and doctors tried their level best to revive him. “It is sad that Patil could not be revived,” he said.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar said it would take him years to digest the fact that R R Patil is no more. “The current cleanliness drive of the central government was implemented by Patil ten years ago in the state under the Sant Gadgebaba cleanliness campaign,” Pawar said.
Former chief minister and Congress veteran Prithviraj Chavan said he was “shocked” by the news of Patil’s demise. “He was a hardworking politician for whom the concern for common man was paramount. As Home Minister in my cabinet, we took decisions through consultations,” he recalled.
