Gulbarga: Merajuddin Patel Passes Away

News: The Hindu, Pics: Mirza Sarfaraz Baig
Daijiworld Media Network - Gulbarga

Gulbarga, Oct 8: The former Minister and president of the State unit of the Janata Dal (Secular) Merajuddin Patel died of a severe heart attack here, around 8 pm on Tuesday, October 7.

Patel (52), who was here to participate in the function at which the newly appointed district president of the party, Shankaranna Vonekyal, took charge, had the attack at the Government Guesthouse where he was staying.

Patel was immediately shifted to Surya Urocare Centre and later shifted to Basavalingappa Nisty Memorial Heart Hospital here. Patel, who slipped into a coma immediately after being shifted to urocare centre, breathed his last at the heart hospital, while a team of doctors was conducting an angioplasty on him.

A two-time MLA from Humnabad Assembly constituency in 1994 and 2004, Patel was known for his amiable nature and secular credentials.

He served as Minister for Municipal Affairs in the H D Deve Gowda Ministry and as Animal Husbandry and Wakf Minister in the Dharam Singh Cabinet. Heartrending scenes were witnessed on the premises of the hospital where relatives and immediate family of Patel had arrived from Humnabad.

Senior leaders of the party, including former Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council David Simeon and Vonekyal, were present at the hospital overseeing the arrangement for taking the body to his native village, Huchakanalli in Humnabad taluk of Bidar district.

According to family sources, the burial will be in Huchakanalli on Wednesday. Senior leaders of various political parties, including the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular), have mourned his death.

The former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, who is in Kerala, and the former Chief Minister N Dharam Singh and Leader of the Opposition M Mallikarjun Kharge have offered their condolences. The former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy will participate in the burial ceremony.

Patel, who had arrived here three hours behind schedule was not his usual self. Close associates and party leaders said  Patel was upset over the alleged attempts to lure Janata Dal (Secular) corporators in Humanabad, reportedly by Congress leaders.

Patel had led a protest against the no-confidence motion moved against the president of the Humnabad Town Municipality — who belonged to the Janata Dal (Secular) — by the Congress.

Patel began his career as a gram panchayat member in Huchakanalli and rose in State politics.

He had planned to contest in the Lok Sabha elections from Bidar seat this time. He leaves behind his wife and seven daughters.