Former Maharashtra Finance and Irrigation Minister and senior BJP leader Mahadevrao Shivankar passed away today at his residence in Amgaon, Gondia district, following age-related ailments. He was 85.

A veteran politician and parliamentarian, Shivankar served as a Member of Parliament from Chimur and was instrumental in the creation of Gondia district in 1999 during his tenure as guardian minister of Bhandara.

A native of Amgaon, born on April 7, 1940, Shivankar held master’s degrees in Economics and History and began his career as a lecturer at Bhavbhuti College, Amgaon, before entering public service.

He was elected MLA five times between 1978 and 2004, and served as a cabinet minister from 1999 to 2004, handling key portfolios including Irrigation, Finance, and Planning.

He was twice elected to the Lok Sabha and remained active in parliamentary committees, including those on agriculture, railways and defence.

Shivankar played a pivotal role in enhancing irrigation infrastructure in Gondia, pushing projects such as Kalpathari, Bewartola and Kalisarar.

Apart from his political legacy, Shivankar was also an author, with several Marathi publications to his credit, including Gajaaad, a diary of the Emergency period, and books on India’s economy, agrarian issues, and regional development.

BJP and leaders across the political spectrum have expressed condolences on his passing, hailing him as a visionary and champion of Vidarbha’s development.

His funeral will be held on Tuesday, October 21, at 10am at Sakritola Ghat on the Saleksa road in Amgaon.

He is survived by two sons, former district council chairman Vijay Shivankar and Sanjay Shivankar.