Daijiworld Media Network - Kalaburagi (SP)

Kalaburagi, Nov 2: Former minister, Vaijanath Patil, who was fighting fo the implementation of ammendment to article 371J, breathed his last at Fortis Hospital Bengaluru at about 6 am on Saturday, November 1. He was 82. Patil was suffering from ill health since the last several days.

Patil was the minister for horticulture in the Ramakrishna Hegde cabinet in 1984 and urban development minister in H D Deve Gowda cabinet in 1994.

Vijanath Patil always throbbed for the development of Hyderbad Karnataka region, which has now been re-christened as Kalyana Karnataka. He had raised his voice and made the people rally behind him by demanding for the implementation of article 371 J which grants special status for Kalyana Karnataka and paves way for its overall development. Whenever he felt that this region of the state faced any injustice, he immediately used to draw the attention of the government towards it. He had resigned as minister because his demands were not met by the government in the past.

Vaijanath Patil was always known for the agitations he carried out. His void will be felt in Kalyana Karnataka for long.

Patil has left behind wife, three sons including Dr Vikram Patil, former chairman of Mysore Sales International Ltd, zilla panchayat member, Gautham Patil, two daughters and scores of well-wishers and relatives. Family sources said that his funeral will be performed on Sunday.

Patil had taken part in the programme, 'Manadaalada Maatu (feelings from deep within the heart)" organized by the district Kannada Sahitya Parishiad on September 22 this year and gave details of his life and his struggles for ideals. But no one thought then that he would exit from his illustrious life so early.