Maharashtra's first Muslim chief minister AR Antulay passes away

Mumbai, Dec 2: Former union minister and Maharashtra's first Muslim chief minister A.R. Antulay died Tuesday following prolonged illness, his nephew said. He was 85.

Antulay breathed his last at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital where he had been admitted a few days ago.

He is survived by his wife Nargis, son Naved and daughters Neelam, Shabnam and Mubina, said nephew and son-in-law Mushtaque Antulay.

Known as 'Barrister Antulay', he was the state's first Muslim chief minister from June 1980-Jan 1982. He was appointed by late prime minister Indira Gandhi.

He served as a union minister in 1995 and later in the UPA-I government of former prime minister Manmohan Singh.

"As per traditions, we perform the funeral in our native place. We are likely to hold the funeral ceremonies Wednesday in his village of birth at Ambet, Raigad district," Mushtaque Antulay told IANS.

IANS