Pune: Former state minister and senior Congress member Anantrao Thopte passed away at a private hospital in Pune after a prolonged illness on Thursday. He was 93.Born on January 11, 1933, Thopte remained a staunch Congress loyalist. Representing the Bhor assembly constituency in Pune six times, Thopte was part of several cabinets as a state minister. NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar was also in Congress and despite also coming from the same Pune district, Thopte managed to expand his support base in Bhor tehsil. Amidst the clash of regional supremacy with Sharad Pawar, Thopte stood his ground.As Thopte withdrew from active politics due to age-related health issues, his son Sangram continued the family legacy and represented the Bhor assembly constituency. After facing defeat in the 2024 assembly polls, Sangram switched to BJP. However, his father continued to be in Congress.Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed condolences for Thopte’s death. “The news of the passing of former minister and veteran politician Anantrao Thopte is extremely heartbreaking. His contribution in the cooperative and banking sector was immense. He made a major contribution to promote the dairy business. He will be remembered as a bold politician,” Fadnavis wrote on his ‘X’ handle.Deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar, cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal, state Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal, Baramati MP Supriya Sule also expressed condolences on the passing of Thopte.Mortal remains of Thopte will be taken to Bhor on Friday morning where last rites will be performed on the same day.
