Veteran Politician and Educationist Datta Meghe Passes Away at 89
Nagpur: Datta Meghe, one of Vidarbha's most enduring political figures and the founder of one of Maharashtra's largest private education networks, passed away on Sunday at the age of 89. His death marks the conclusion of a public life that spanned over five decades, influencing both state politics and educational development.
A Life Dedicated to Public Service
Born on November 11, 1936, in Pawnar in Wardha district, Meghe graduated with a BA from Nagpur University in 1963. He began his career as a development officer with LIC before entering public life. His political journey commenced in 1978 when he entered the Maharashtra Legislative Council, where he served three consecutive terms until 1991, totaling over 13 years. During this period, he held several key positions:
- Minister of State for Housing and Civil Supplies
- Minister of State for Technical Education
- Cabinet Minister for Energy and Forests
- Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council
This extensive experience provided him with a firm grounding in state politics and governance.
Parliamentary Career and Party Affiliations
Meghe entered the Parliament in 1991, winning the Nagpur Lok Sabha seat on a Congress ticket with over 3.28 lakh votes. He later recalled that he contested the election at the personal encouragement of Rajiv Gandhi, whose assassination had briefly delayed the polls. His parliamentary success continued with re-elections from Ramtek in 1996 and from Wardha in 1998, securing three consecutive Lok Sabha terms.
After a stint in the Rajya Sabha from 2002 to 2008, he returned to the Lok Sabha in 2009 from Wardha. His party affiliations reflected the dynamic nature of Maharashtra politics across four decades:
- He joined the Congress in 1978.
- He followed Sharad Pawar into the Nationalist Congress Party when it was formed in 1999.
- He returned to the Congress in 2008.
Throughout these years, Meghe remained close to the levers of power, serving as MLC, MP, or Rajya Sabha member almost without interruption for over three decades.
Shift to BJP and Advocacy for Vidarbha
The break with Congress came in June 2014, after his son Sagar lost the Wardha Lok Sabha seat and the family felt sidelined in the party. Meghe resigned after 36 years of association, citing neglect of Vidarbha. He and his sons Sagar and Sameer formally joined the BJP on July 5, 2014, at a rally in Sawangi-Meghe attended by then Maharashtra BJP president Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari. Thousands of supporters made the switch alongside the family.
Throughout his career, Meghe was a vocal advocate for a separate Vidarbha state, a cause he championed consistently and pursued with renewed intensity after the central government carved out Telangana in 2014.
Legacy in Education and Healthcare
Parallel to his political endeavors, Meghe built a vast education and healthcare network across rural Maharashtra. This network is anchored by the Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research at Sawangi-Meghe in Wardha, which grew into a deemed university. He believed that quality education and healthcare were the only true levers of transformation for Vidarbha's people, and he invested decades in that conviction.
His younger son Sameer Meghe, a BJP MLA from Hingna, said, "My father never refused to help anyone who came to him. That is how I want people to remember him." Meghe is survived by his sons Sagar and Sameer, and other family members.
His passing signifies the end of an era in Vidarbha politics, leaving behind a legacy of public service and educational advancement that will be remembered for years to come.
