Gaikwad death: Maha apologises for 'delay' in reaching out to

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Monday alleged that the BJP-led Maharashtra government delayed its nod by "30 hours" for the state funeral of CPI veteran and first leader of opposition in legislative council Madhavrao Gaikwad who died in Nashik on November 12.

After the issue was raised in the Legislative Council by Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde on the first day of the winter session of the state legislator, the House leader and Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil (BJP) expressed "regret" on behalf of the government.

Munde alleged that the state government adopted apathetic attitude towards Gaikwad who died last Monday.

He said the government took "30 hours" to reach out to the kin of Gaikwad who had requested his state funeral.

"Even after getting in contact with his kin, officials asked them to wait another 2-3 hours before he could be cremated, to complete formalities," Munde claimed while raising the issue before commencement of condolence motions.

He demanded an apology from the state government and suspension of the concerned officials.

In his response, House leader Patil said an inquiry has revealed that the last rites of Gaikwad were delayed because of a large number of his followers.

"Yet, on behalf of the government, I express regret for whatever has happened," Patil said.

Gaikwad held the post as the first Leader of Opposition in the Council from 1960 to 1962.

According to sources, only the chief minister can grant the state funeral.

On the day Gaikwad died, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis was visiting a remote village in Beed district, they said.

By the time his nod came, Gaikwad was already taken for cremation on November 13, they claimed.