It appears people from Latur district in Maharathwada have all the luck where chief ministership is concerned. Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar was picked from nowhere to grace the post when Vasantdada Patil quit in a huff in 1985.
But he failed to capitalise on the opportunity. His tenure was brief and his exit ignominious. He reportedly got the marks of his daughter changed so she could study medicine. He had to resign after less than nine months in the post.
With age comes experience and, perhaps, remorse about opportunities lost. The 73-year-old now wants another chance.
Bad timing. His daughter-in-law, whom he threw out of his house, wants revenge. She joined the BJP and defeated former Lok Sabha speaker Shivraj Patil in Latur Lok Sabha seat. Now, her son is challenging his grandfather in the assembly election.
No wonder he was reluctant to contest this time but Congress chief Sonia Gandhi reportedly urged him saying the party needs senior leaders like him. Now, if only he could sort out his family matters.
Incidentally, Nilangekar became the first chief minister of Maharashtra to serve under another chief minister in 1999. He lost the post after the setback in the Lok Sabha election.
Text: S Srinivasan in Aurangabad
Also Read: Sonia storms the Sena citadel