Prayagraj: Mahesh Kothe, a former Solapur mayor and prominent Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) leader, died here Tuesday morning after suffering a heart attack while taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj. He was 60 years old.
The incident occurred around 7:30 AM Kothe, surrounded by his companions, was taking part in the ritual bath at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the legendary Saraswati. Witnesses also say that Kothe collapsed while in the water but was rescued and taken to the hospital. Doctors pronounced him dead on arrival, though he was immediately rushed to a nearby medical facility.
A seasoned politician, Kothe recently contested the Maharashtra Assembly elections from the Solapur North constituency against BJP’s Vijay Deshmukh. Kothe lost the election but continued to be an influential political character in Solapur.
Sharad Pawar, NCP (SP) chief, expressed his sadness at the untimely demise of Kothe. “My old colleague Mahesh Kothe passed away tragically in Prayagraj,’ Pawar, who is the Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation and Higher Education in his nation’s ruling coalition, said in a post on the social media platform X.”Solapur’s social and political scene was no doubt cut out by him. Solapur has lost a dedicated worker with his passing. In this hour of sorrow we stand with the Kothe family. Heartfelt condolences!”
He leaves a wife, a son. The last rites of his mortal remains will be performed in Solapur on Wednesday.
Maheshwar Bhandari’s sudden death during auspicious Makar Sankranti celebrations at Maha Kumbh has left Maharashtra’s political circles, especially NCP (SP) ranks, shocked. While tributes pour in, Solapur remembers Kothe for the work he did in making Solapur what it is today and for his penchant for public service.