R.R. Patil, former Maharashtra Home Minister and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, died in Lilavati hospital in suburban Mumbai on Monday. He was 57 and had been under treatment for oral cancer for the past three months.
“He was the living example of a disciplined and simple politician. He set the standards of how one should behave in public life,” NCP chief Sharad Pawar said.
Mr. Patil, popularly known as Aaba, hailed from a modest farming family at Tasgaon in Sangli district. He was Deputy Chief Minister in 2004 and was best known for his stint as Home Minister during the 26/11 terror attacks. He handled the Rural Development Department prior to it and launched initiatives that helped change the face of rural Maharashtra.
Known for his action against dance bars in Mumbai, Mr. Patil had landed in trouble for his poor Hindi, which resulted in his making controversial statements. Following the 26/11 terror attacks, Mr. Patil reportedly said that small incidents happened in big countries like India. It led to his resignation.
Mr. Patil’s oratory and ability to mock his opponents with ease earned him praise in the Assembly. He was one of the very few leaders of the NCP who were never accused of any scam during his 15-year tenure as Minister.
He is survived by his mother, wife, daughter and son.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office paid condolences to the family of Mr. Patil saying his death would leave a void in Maharashtra politics.
