Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Senior Congress Leader Ratnakar Mahajan Dies at 80
Ratnakar Mahajan was a senior leader of the Congress party.
He died at his home in Pimpri-Chinchwad at the age of 80.
Other leaders remembered him as calm and scholarly.
He explained his party’s views without insulting political opponents.
Mahajan was imprisoned during the Emergency.
He also led the Maharashtra State Planning Board as its executive chairman.
He changed political parties several times before returning to Congress.
His final funeral rites were held at Vaikunth crematorium on Saturday afternoon.
Senior Congress leader Ratnakar Mahajan died at his Pimpri-Chinchwad residence late Friday evening at age 80.
Political leaders remembered Mahajan for his scholarly approach and calm demeanour.
He was known as a spokesperson who articulated Congress’s position without shouting or using objectionable language.
Mahajan was imprisoned during the Emergency and later served as executive chairman of the Maharashtra State Planning Board.
He moved from the Janata Dal to Congress, then the NCP, before returning to Congress and serving as a senior spokesperson and MPCC vice-president.
- Who
- Ratnakar Mahajan, a senior Congress leader and former spokesperson.
- What
- Mahajan died at age 80, and his final rites were performed the following day.
- When
- He died late Friday evening; his final rites took place Saturday afternoon.
- Where
- He died at his residence in Rakshak Society, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and his final rites were held at Vaikunth crematorium.
- Why
- The article does not specify a cause of death.
- Age
- 80
- Political affiliation
- Indian National Congress at the time of his death
- Known for
- A scholarly, calm and effective party spokesperson
- Public office
- Executive chairman of the Maharashtra State Planning Board
- Emergency
- He was imprisoned during the Emergency
- Final rites
- Held at Vaikunth crematorium on Saturday afternoon
- Political career
- He was associated with the Janata Dal, Congress and NCP before returning to Congress