Ex-MP Kesharkaku Kshirsagar passes away

Beed, Maharashtra, Oct 4 (UNI) Former MP Keshar Kshirsagar, popularly known as 'Kesharkaku Kshirsagar', died at Mumbai's Bombay Hospital this morning, hospital sources said.

She was 79 and is survived by her husband Sonajirao, four sons, including former Maharashtra Energy Minister Jaydatta Kshirsagar and four daughters.

Kesharkaku Kshirsagar, the three-times MP from Beed Lok Sabha constituency, was admitted to Mumbai's Bombay Hospital on September 7 and She was treated for 'Metastasis in the lungs, liver and brain,' hospital sources told UNI.

She passed away at around 0745 hrs this morning.

Born on March 30, 1927, at Vijapur in neighbouring Karnataka, Kesharkaku's political career began in 1962 when she was elected as Sarpanch of Navgan Rajuri gram panchayat in this district.

A close associate of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, former Maharashtra Chief Ministers Yashwantrao Chavan and Vasantdada Patil, Kesharkaku was elected on the Panchayat Samiti in 1967.

She was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from the Chausala Assembly constituency in 1972.

Later she was elected to the Lok Sabha for three consecutive terms from Beed district in 1980-84, 1984-89 and 1991-1996.

Later, Ms Kesharkaku joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) since its inception.

Founder of the Gajanan Co-operative Sugar Factory here, Kshirsagar was closely associated with various educational institutions, which she had floated with her untiring efforts in the district, as well as in Marathwada region.

The mortal remains of the late MP will be brought to the city by this afternoon from Mumbai and the funeral will take place at 1300 hrs here tomorrow, family sources said.

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