Former Maharashtra minister and staunch Congressman Dr V Subramanian passed away in his south Mumbai residence on Monday after a brief illness. He was 85.

Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde was first among the visitors who paid homage to Subramanian, who was an Indian Administrative Services officer before he joined politics.

Subramanian joined the politics in early 80s when A R Antulay became the Maharashtra chief minister.  He was a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from 1980-90. He was also a Cabinet minister during 1982-83 and from 1985-88 and held various important ministries.

Subramanian was born on January 26, 1919. He was the president emeritus of the Sri Shanmukhanand Fine Arts Sabha and Sangeetha Sabha.

The Maharashtra government awarded doctorate to him for his thesis on drought condition of the state.

He leaves behind his wife, son and two daughters.

DGIPR