Former minister and veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Mahadeorao Sukhaji Shivankar passed away on Monday after a prolonged illness in Gondia district of Maharashtra , according to family sources cited by news agency PTI.

Shivankar, aged 85, died at his residence in Amgaon in the early hours of the day, his son Vijay Shivankar confirmed. Also Read | Maharashtra BJP MLA Shivajirao Kardile dies at 67

He was a five-time Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the Amgaon constituency and had also represented the Chimur constituency in the Lok Sabha.

The veteran politician also served as the national president of the BJP farmers' cell.

Shivankar was notably responsible for announcing the bifurcation of Bhandara district and the formation of the new Gondia district on 26

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