Veteran BJP Leader Datta Meghe Passes Away at 89 in Nagpur
Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader Datta Meghe passed away on Sunday evening at the age of 89, according to his close aide and former Nagpur deputy mayor Raghunath Malikar. The news has sent shockwaves through political circles in Maharashtra, particularly in the Vidarbha region where Meghe was a prominent figure for decades.
Political Legacy and Family
Datta Meghe is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, and grandchildren. His sons include Hingna MLA Sameer Meghe and former MLC Sagar Meghe, continuing the family's political legacy. Meghe's political journey spanned multiple parties and significant positions over his long career.
He served as a four-time Lok Sabha MP representing constituencies including Nagpur, Ramtek, and Wardha. Between 2002 and 2008, he was a member of the Rajya Sabha, contributing to national legislation and policy discussions. Meghe was originally with the Congress party before joining the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party when it was formed in 1999, where he served as a state minister.
Party Transition and Contributions
In a significant political move, Meghe joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2014, aligning himself with the party that would go on to dominate national politics. Throughout his career, he was known for his dedication to public service and development work, particularly in the fields of education and healthcare.
Tributes from Political Leaders
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari expressed profound grief over Meghe's passing, describing him as "like an elder brother" and calling the news heart-breaking. Gadkari emphasized that Meghe's death represents a substantial loss for the political and social spheres of Vidarbha.
"My heartfelt tribute to him. With Dattabhau's passing, the political and social spheres of Vidarbha have suffered a great loss. Such a leader with a generous heart, broad and pure mind, will not come again," Gadkari stated in his tribute.
Healthcare and Educational Legacy
Gadkari highlighted Meghe's remarkable contributions to healthcare and education in the region. The Union Minister noted that from Gadchiroli to Melghat, in tribal areas, Meghe made utmost efforts to improve tribal health through free medical camps. At Sawangi Meghe, he provided free medical treatment to economically disadvantaged communities.
In the educational sector, Meghe created institutions to provide higher education opportunities for Vidarbha's youth, addressing a critical need in the region. His work in both healthcare and education has left a lasting impact that continues to benefit communities across Maharashtra.
Enduring Impact and Final Tributes
Gadkari concluded his tribute by saying, "Dattabhau's contributions to the educational and medical fields in Vidarbha are noteworthy and significant. May God grant peace to the departed soul and give strength to his family and everyone to recover from this grief."
The passing of Datta Meghe marks the end of an era in Vidarbha politics, with leaders across party lines acknowledging his substantial contributions to public service, healthcare accessibility, and educational advancement in the region.
