Heartfelt Farewell to Mahadeorao Shivankar: Celebrating the Life of a Resilient BJP Leader and Former Maharashtra Minister at 85

Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former minister Mahadeorao Sukhaji Shivankar passed away on Monday after a long illness in Gondia district, Maharashtra. He was 85 years old. Family sources confirmed that Shivankar died at his home in Amgaon during the early hours of the day, a loss lamented by his son, Vijay Shivankar.

Shivankar was a significant figure in Maharashtra’s political landscape, serving five terms as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the Amgaon constituency. His political career also included a tenure as a Member of Parliament for the Chimur constituency in the Lok Sabha. Notably, he held the position of national president of the BJP farmers’ cell, advocating for agricultural reform and farmer welfare.

In January 1999, Shivankar made headlines for his role in the bifurcation of Bhandara district, leading to the establishment of the new Gondia district. He also contributed to the state as the irrigation and finance minister under the Manohar Joshi government during the 1990s. His legacy is one of commitment to public service and governance, leaving a lasting impact on his constituents and the BJP.

Shivankar is survived by his sons, Vijay and Sanjay, along with a daughter. His final rites are scheduled for Tuesday at Sakhritla Ghat in Amgaon, with the funeral procession set to begin at 10 AM from his residence.

In related news, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde criticized the Opposition for what he termed a “dual role” regarding local body elections. On Monday, he pointed out the Opposition’s initial call for elections to be held promptly, contrasting it with their current demands for postponement due to alleged electoral discrepancies.

Shinde claimed that the Opposition is now fearing an imminent defeat in the upcoming elections, asserting that the ruling Mahayuti alliance-comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP-will dominate the polls. Recent meetings between leaders from various Opposition parties, including Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, NCP (SP), and MNS, led them to voice concerns to the State Election Commissioner and the Chief Electoral Officer. They highlighted the presence of duplicate names in the electoral register across various addresses, urging for corrections before the scheduled local elections, which must be completed by January 31, 2026.

As he addressed journalists in Thane during the Diwali celebrations, Shinde commented on the Opposition’s contradictory positions. “The Opposition insisted that elections should be prioritized, and now that they are on the horizon, they want them postponed,” he stated. He also noted how the Opposition had previously criticized the Election Commission but shifted to file complaints with the same body they once scorned.

Shivankar’s passing marks not only a significant loss for his family but also for the political community in Maharashtra. His contributions to regional governance and commitment to public service will be remembered by many. Meanwhile, the political tensions surrounding local body elections continue to unfold, with the next few months set to be crucial for Maharashtra’s political landscape.

Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/former-maharashtra-minister-veteran-bjp-leader-mahadeorao-shivankar-dies-at-85-11760952338760.html
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Publish Date: 2025-10-20 15:36:00