Ex-Maharashtra minister Sadanand Varde dead

MUMBAI: Veteran socialist leader and former Maharashtra education minister Sadanand Varde passed away on Monday after prolonged illness. He was 81.

Varde is survived by wife Sudha, daughter Jhelum Paranjpe and son Abhijeet.

Varde participated in the Quit India movement as a college student. He later became a full-time volunteer of the Rashtra Seva Dal.

He was elected corporator for three terms. In 1978, he became the state education minister in the Progressive Democratic Front government.

Varde was a staunch supporter of the euthanasia movement in the state.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and deputy chief minister R R Patil have condoled his demise.

"Varde left an indelible impression as the education minister," Deshmukh said.