Former state minister and senior Congress leader Satyendra Pathak passed away here after a prolonged illness, family sources said today.
Pathak (75) was undergoing treatment in Mumbai's Hinduja Hospital since last one-and-a-half month for infection in his kidney and liver. When chances of his survival became remote, his son and BJP MLA Sanjay Pathak brought him back to Katni in an air ambulance yesterday morning via Jabalpur.
He passed away last evening, the sources said.
Pathak is survived by wife, son and three daughters, they said.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reached Katni today to pay respects to the departed leader.
Pathak had served as a Cabinet minister in the Congress government led by the then Chief Minister Digvijay Singh in 2000.
Though his son Sanjay Pathak was also in Congress and won the 2013 election from Vijaraghavgarh seat in Katni district, he later quit the party following differences with leaders and won the same seat again as BJP candidate.
Madhya Pradesh Public Relations and Energy Minister Rajendra Shukla also expressed grief over the death of Pathak.
His last rites will be performed today with full state honours.
