Vasantdada Patil

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Vasantdada Patil (November 13, 1917 - March 1, 1989) was an Indian politician from Sangli, Maharashtra. He was the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from May 17, 1977 to July 18, 1978 and again from February 2, 1983 to June 1, 1985. He also served as Governor of Rajasthan.

Preceded by Shankarrao Chavan	Chief Minister of Maharashtra 17 May 1977 – 18 Jul 1978	Succeeded by Sharad Pawar
Preceded by Babasaheb Bhosale	Chief Minister of Maharashtra 2 Feb 1983 – 6 Mar 1986	Succeeded by Shivajirao Nilangekar

Born on 13th Nov 1917 he was the most popular Chief Minister of Maharashtra. 'Padmale' 3 km from Sangli is his native village. He studied upto the vernacular final. Then he took interest in his farm. He woked there and faced many problems. He always took leading part in problem solving. He took part in freedom struggle. In 1942, Mahatma Gandhi started 'Satyagraha movement'. Vinoba Bhave was the first 'satyagrahi' and from tasgaon Vasantdada was the first 'satyagrahi' . For this he was jailed. In the jail, he came under the influence of people like Babasaheb Kher, Sardar Patel and others. He was also influenced by Netaji Subhashchandra Bose and he believed that only 'satyagraha', morchas or peoples movements would not get freedom. So he looted railways, merchants, got guns and revolvers from Goa. Many criminal cases were filled against him. British govt. declared prize of Rs.1000 for him. He tried to escape from the jail but badly injured. He was then sentenced 13 years imprisonment. But on 25th April 1946 he was released. He was tremendously welcome by Sangli people reminding the return of Shri Rama from Lanka. After independence he started working on farmers problems. He established Market Committee on 1951, with main intension of giving proper prices to agriculture products. In 1958, he started largest Co-operative Sugar factory on 90 acres land. In 1960, he started Industrial Society on 135 acres land. ITI were stared to give technical training to youth. He made efforts to increase irrigation in Sangli. In 1960 he became the Chief promoter of Groundnut Processors Co-operative Society. In the field of education he was Chairman of Latthe Education Society. He started Miraj Medical College, Civil hospital, Akashwani (All India Radio station) a Sangli. He was active in politics from 1937 he became minister only in 1972 till 1976. In 1976 he was deleted from the cabinet. He was very disappointed. But overcoming this disappointment, he became Chief Minister of Maharashtra 4 times between 1976 to 1985. He died on 1 March 1989.