Sudhakarrao Rajusing Naik (21 August 1934 – 10 May 2001) was an Indian politician from Indian National Congress party who served as Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 25 June 1991 until 22 February 1993 following the communal riots.
He had given the new shape to the Panchayat Raj, started the continuous election process in Panchayat Raj systems all over the state, as desired by the former Prime Minister Rajeev Gandhi, decentralisation of power and faster decision making process being motive of bringing back the Panchayat Raj in full-fledged functioning.
He is called as the hero of Jalkranti, who started the irrigation revolution in the State of Maharashtra.
[1][2] He started his political career from his rural base as Sarpanch or village head.
At one point, Sudhakarrao made a statement that Sharad Pawar had asked him to "go easy on Pappu Kalani".