RR Patil’s daughter shares father’s memoir on social media

Sangli: RR Patil’s daughter Smita Patil shared a memoir written by her father four days before his death on social media.

She shared a note written by RR Patil asking her “What is going on in the state?” on her WhatsApp status.

She wrote, “Last time he had written by his own hands as he was unable to talk was on February 12, 2015, i.e. four days before his death. I remember instead of asking personal questions, he had asked about what was going in Maharashtra state”.

She added, “You were special due to this kind of dedication towards your priority and your people. You will always be remembered”.

RR Patil, former Maharashtra Home Minister and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, died in Lilavati Hospital in suburban Mumbai on February 16, 2015. He was 57 and had been under treatment for oral cancer.

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.

After elections in 2004, he was elevated to the post of deputy chief during which he led a passionate campaign to ban dance bars and managed to get a legislation in this regard passed unanimously in 2005.

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.