Sonelal Patel, a prominent OBC leader of Uttar Pradesh and president of regional party Apna Dal, died in a road accident here last night, police said. He was 58 and is survived by his wife and four daughters.
"The accident occurred last night when Patel was driving out of his residence in Nawabganj area after Diwali celebrations. Another car came from the opposite direction in a high speed and while trying to avert a collision, his car rammed into a wall," Kanpur DIG Neera Rawat said.
Patel was rushed to a hospital, where he succumbed to injuries, the DIG said. The driver of the other vehicle fled the spot and is yet to be traced.
A large number of supporters gathered outside his house since this morning after the news of his death spread.
Patel started his political career with former UP chief minister Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna and was also in the BSP for some time when Kanshi Ram was the party chief. Patel formed Apna Dal in 1994.
He had considerable influence among his Kurmi community but despite fighting the assembly elections from Uttar Pradesh several times and jumping into the fray from two seats in 2009 Lok Sabha polls, he never tasted success. In 2007 assembly elections, Apna Dal had allied with BJP.
Union coal minister and Lok Sabha member from Kanpur Sriprakash Jaiswal condoled the death, saying that Patel was the leader of the downtrodden.
