New Delhi: Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and founding member of the party S.R. Kohli passed away on Sunday afternoon at the age of 82.
Kohli, who had been unwell for the past few days, breathed his last around 3 PM at a private hospital in Noida, where he was undergoing treatment. His demise has left the party leadership and cadre in deep mourning.
Expressing his condolences, NCP’s National Media Coordinator Prof. Naveen Kumar stated that Mr. Kohli was like a guardian figure in the party, whose contributions at every organizational level were unmatched. Since the inception of the NCP in 1999, Kohli had played a pivotal role in shaping the party’s foundation and expanding its reach across various parts of the country.
He said that with a political career spanning over four decades, Mr. Kohli initially started with the Indian National Congress. However, when Sharad Pawar broke away to form the Nationalist Congress Party, Kohli was among the earliest and most trusted associates who joined the movement. Within the NCP, he was widely regarded as the architect of the partys organisational structure, known for his skill in mobilising grassroots workers, spreading ideological clarity, and empowering youth leaders.
His humility, discipline, and unwavering loyalty earned him deep respect across party lines. Considered a close confidant of senior leaders like MP Praful Patel and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar, Mr. Kohli was involved in several key decision-making processes and held the post of National General Secretary for several years.
Reacting to the loss, several senior leaders including Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel expressed heartfelt condolences. Prof. Kumar noted, “With the passing of Mr. Kohli , an era has come to an end. He was truly the soul of the party.”
Kohli’s passing marks not only the loss of a senior leader but also the departure of a silent force that shaped the NCP’s organisational core from behind the scenes.