Shiv Sena MLA Anil Babar passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 74 at a hospital in the Sangli district of Maharashtra. He had been unwell for the last few days.
The state cabinet meeting scheduled for Wednesday has been cancelled and Chief Minister Eknath-Shinde is travelling to Sangli to meet Babar’s family, as ANI reported.
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Anil Babar, widely known as Anilrao Babar, was a prominent politician who served as a Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Khanapur Vidhan Sabha constituency since 2009. A member of the Shiv Sena party, Babar was born on January 7, 1950, into a farmer family in Gardi village, Khanapur taluka.
Entering politics at the age of 19, Babar was elected as the Sarpanch of Gardi village. He had represented the Khanapur constituency for four consecutive terms, establishing himself as a significant figure in Maharashtra politics.
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An advocate for farmers’ rights and a proponent of rural development, Babar played a crucial role in various infrastructure projects within his constituency, including the construction of roads, bridges, and irrigation canals. He actively participated in social welfare activities, contributing to the upliftment of marginalized communities.
CM Shinde, in an official statement on X, expressed his condolences and paid tribute to the late Shiv Sena leader.
“Khanapur Assembly Constituency MLA Anil Babar has sadly passed away. With his demise, we have truly lost a very effective public representative running the social work arm of Shiv Sena. Instructions have also been given to the administration to perform the last rites of Anil Babar in a state ceremony. His work for the Shiv Sena in his Khanapur constituency is unforgettable. Whether it was trying to provide shelter to the homeless or organizing blood donation camps, working to implement the Krishna Valley Water and Tent Scheme, or spreading education to the grassroots level through educational institutions, Anil Babar served as an exemplary public representative,” Shinde conveyed on X.
“Anil Babar always fought for the farmers’ problems in the Khanapur-Atpadi area. He worked tirelessly to solve the problems of farmers in this area. We have lost a senior Shiv Sena representative, my close colleague and mentor, in his demise. May God bless his soul and give strength to the members of Babar’s family to recover from this suffering. A heartfelt tribute,” the post further stated.
Known for his dedication to public service, Babar was a popular leader among the people of Khanapur. He earned respect for his commitment to the Shiv Sena party and was anticipated to continue playing a significant role in Maharashtra politics in the future.