Satish Pradhan, Thane Municipal Corporation’s first mayor after its conversion from a council in October 1982, passed away at the age of 85 on Sunday. A close aide of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, Pradhan was a towering political figure, serving as a two-term Rajya Sabha MP from 1992 to 2004 and leading the Shiv Sena in the upper house of Parliament.
For decades, Pradhan epitomized the quintessential “Shiv Sena neta,” holding a prominent position in the party’s leadership hierarchy. His contributions were instrumental in the party’s growth, particularly in Thane city, where he emerged as a key figure. During his tenure as president of the Thane Municipal Council, Pradhan was responsible for building a stadium in the city. In 1980, he furthered his commitment to education by founding the Satish Pradhan Dnyanasadhana College and introduced the iconic Mayor Marathon, leaving a lasting legacy in the city.
In 2004, Pradhan sought the party’s ticket for the Thane Assembly seat. However, his request was denied, leading to friction within the Shiv Sena. Disillusioned, he joined the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in October 2005. Finding limited opportunities there, he later aligned with Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Despite these shifts, Pradhan ultimately returned to the Shiv Sena in 2016 after reconciling his differences with Raj Thackeray.
Pradhan had been unwell for several days and was admitted to Godbole Hospital last week.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde paid heartfelt tributes to the late leader, highlighting his pivotal role in the growth of the Shiv Sena alongside Bal Thackeray. “Satish Pradhan made a great contribution to the development of Thane city and the organisational strength of Shiv Sena. He ensured quality education for Thane’s children by establishing Dnyanasadhana College 44 years ago,” Shinde wrote in a post on X.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also expressed his condolences, acknowledging Pradhan’s remarkable contributions. “The news of the passing away of Satish Pradhan, the first Mayor of Thane Municipal Corporation, is extremely sad. His work for the development of Thane city, as well as for giving the city a new identity in the cultural, social, and educational fields, will always be remembered,” he said in a post on X.
