Malegaon: Veteran socialist leader, a front leader of Samyukta Maharashtra Movement, former minister, one of the founders of Janata Party and Janata Dal (Secular), MLA for more than 30 years and the first mayor of Malegaon, Nehal Ahmed who died on Monday will be laid to rest with full state honours.
"Nehal Ahmed will be laid to rest with full state honours at Malegaon Bada Qabristan tonight at around 11:00 pm", SDO Malegaon Ajay More said while talking to ummid.com.
"We have already received the official communique from the state government regarding this and the preparations are on for the funeral of Nehal Ahmed with full state honours", he added.
According to the family sources, the last journey of Nehal Ahmed will start at around 09:00 pm from his MHB Colony residence. The funeral procession will pass through Old Mumbai-Agra Road, Qedwai Road and them halt for a moment at Janata Dal (S) office. It will then proceed to Bada Qabrastan for the last rites.
Nehal Ahmed, the senior most socialist leader who participated in various socialist movements including the Maharashtra Movement, was ailing since last few weeks. He was shifted to a local hospital on Friday. After his condition deteriorated further the family took him to a hospital in Nashik.
"Saheb died at around 09:30 am in Nashik", Mustaqueem Dignity, his son in law said while talking to ummid.com.
His mortal remains was brought to Malegaon at around 02:30 pm.
Born in 1926 to Maulana Mohammad Usman, Founder of Jamiatus Swalehat, Nehal Ahmed was also Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
A socialist leader and political guru, who never compromised with the rules he set in his political career, sported black badge on his left shoulder till his last breath to protest the demolition of Babri Masjid.
Nehal Ahmed began his political career as Mazdoor Leader, won the municipal election and later assembly elections.
When Sharad Pawar became the youngest Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Nehal Ahmed was made the Labour Minister in his cabinet.
In 2001, when Malegaon Municipal Council was converted into a Corporation, Nehal Ahmed contested the civic election, led the Janata Dal (S) to a majority and became the First Mayor of Malegaon.
He also contested the Parliamentary Elections in 2009 but lost to BJP's Pratap Sonawane.