Veteran Congress leader and socialist thinker Ratnakar Mahajan dies at 80 in Pune

PUNE: Senior Congress leader, socialist thinker and political analyst Dr Ratnakar Mahajan died at his residence in Pune on Saturday following a brief illness, his close associates said. He was 80.Mahajan had been unwell for the past few days, according to his associates. His last rites will be performed at the Vaikunth Smashanbhoomi in Pune later on Saturday, news agency PTI reported.Mahajan hailed from Indapur taluka and moved to Pune to pursue higher education. He later became associated with several social and political movements, working on social causes through organisations including the Yuvak Kranti Dal, Rashtra Seva Dal and Bharat Jodo Abhiyan, besides student movements.After joining the Congress, Mahajan served as the spokesperson of the party’s Maharashtra unit. He also served as the editor of*’Shidori’ magazine.Mahajan was known for his engagement with socialist thought, political analysis and social movements over the course of his public life.(With agency inputs)