Bengaluru: Former Minister Vaijanath Sangappa Patil (82) passed away at a private hospital here, this morning.  

As the President of Hyderabad-Karnataka Horata Samithi, Patil fought for Special Status to the most backward region and also for getting Special Status under 370 (J) to the region. Patil, elected twice as MLA from Chincholi in Kalaburagi, was also a one-time MLC from Kalaburagi. 

He served as Minister in both Ramakrishna Hegde’s and H.D. Deve Gowda’s cabinets. A native of Aurad in Bidar, Vaijanath Patil had settled in Kalaburagi district. He was associated with both Janata Dal and Congress parties. Later, towards the fag-end of his political career, Patil was also associated with the BJP. 

Patil was born on July 29, 1938 in an agricultural family at Hakyala village in Aurad. He completed his B.A from BVB Degree College in Bidar and LLB from SSL Law College in Kalaburagi.  He was conferred honorary doctorate from Gulbarga University during its 31st Annual Convocation. 

He is survived by his wife, two daughters and three sons including former Chairperson of MSIL Dr. Vikram Patil and ZP member Gautam Patil. Last rites will be held at Chincholi tomorrow.