<p>Former Maharashtra minister and senior Congress leader Eknath Gaikwad died of Covid-19 infection here on Wednesday, party sources said.</p>.<p>He was 81.</p>.<p>The former MP, who was the father of Maharashtra School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad, succumbed to the viral infection at a city hospital around 10 am, the sources added.</p>.<p>Eknath Gaikwad had also served as the president of the Mumbai Congress.</p>.<p>Describing Gaikwad as a "father-like figure and mentor", Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said the death was "quite saddening".</p>.<p>"Congress party and I have suffered immense loss. Short of words. Tributes!" Sawant tweeted.</p>
<p>Former Maharashtra minister and senior Congress leader Eknath Gaikwad died of Covid-19 infection here on Wednesday, party sources said.</p>.<p>He was 81.</p>.<p>The former MP, who was the father of Maharashtra School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad, succumbed to the viral infection at a city hospital around 10 am, the sources added.</p>.<p>Eknath Gaikwad had also served as the president of the Mumbai Congress.</p>.<p>Describing Gaikwad as a "father-like figure and mentor", Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said the death was "quite saddening".</p>.<p>"Congress party and I have suffered immense loss. Short of words. Tributes!" Sawant tweeted.</p>