Former President Pratibha Patil's husband Devisingh Shekhawat passed away at KEM Hospital in Pune due to a heart attack. He was 89. Shekhawat, a former MLA, was admitted to the hospital a few days back. He is survived by wife Pratibha Patil and two children -- a son and a daughter.
In a statement, KEM Hospital said his "health deteriorated as he developed kidney complications and he passed away around 9.30 am on February 24."
A renowned agriculturist and a member of Congress Party, Shekhawat was an MLA from Amravati constituency in Maharashtra from 1980 to 1990.
Expressing his condolences, Prime MInister Narendra Modi said Shekhawat made a mark on society through his various community service efforts.
"My thoughts are with our former President Smt. Pratibha Patil Ji and her family on the passing away of Dr. Devisingh Shekhawat Ji. He made a mark on society through his various community service efforts. Om Shanti," he tweeted.
Former President Ram Nath Kovind said he was shocked to know about demise of Dr Devisingh Shekhawat. "My condolences with Smt Pratibha Singh Patil ji and her family in this hour of grief," Kovind tweeted.
NCP supremo Sharad Pawar also mourned Shekhawat's demise.
"Deeply saddened by the demise of the Senior Congress leader and renowned agriculturist Shri Devisingh Ransingh Shekhawat ji. The veteran leader served as the first Mayor of Amaravati and was a strong support system for Smt Pratibha tai as the First Gentleman of India," Pawar tweeted.
Shekhawat, a lecturer in Chemistry, married Pratibha Patil on July 7,1965. In 19721, he was awarded a PhD by the University of Mumbai. He also served as mayor of Amravati for a year between 1991-92.
He served as First Gentleman of Rajasthan for three years when Pratibha Patil became the governor of the state. In 2007, Shekhawat also became the First Gentleman of India after Patil became the first woman President of India.