Mumbai: Known as 'Mr Clean' in political circles, R R Patil's career graph from a Zilla Parishad member to the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has been marked by impressive achievements, astute organisational skills and result-oriented leadership.

Groomed by NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) strongman Sharad Pawar, it was Patil's strong organisational skills and result-oriented strategies that paid rich dividends for NCP, which romped home with an astounding 71 seats, making it the single party to have the largest seats in the Vidhan Sabha in recent polls.

His impressive achievement saw him edging out other NCP contenders Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil, Chhagan Bhujbal, Jayant Patil and Padamsinh Patil from the race for the post of Deputy Chief Minister.

Inducted for the first time in the DF (Democratic Front) Government in 1999 as Rural Development Minister and assigned an important portfolio of Home in 2003-end after Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal resigned due to Telgi scam developments, there has been no looking back for Patil.

Forty-eight-year old Patil, popularly known as "Aba", is however, not new to politics. After spending 11 years as Zilla Parishad member, Patil was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1990.

This fourth-term MLA from Tasgaon in Sangli district, known for aggressive oratory skill, he played an effective role on the Opposition benches during the erstwhile Shiv Sena-BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) rule, and subsequently as an organiser when he was appointed as chief of NCP's Maharashtra unit.

It was Patil who spurred villages after villages to adopt more hygienic sanitary surroundings by launching the popular "Sant Gadge Baba Sanitation Campaign".

The campaign not only helped in providing villages an incentive to maintain a clean environment, but got some global bodies to sit up and take look at the rural initiative.

His strong rural roots also saw Patil identifying the needs of the villages and democratising the Panchayati Raj institutions and providing them more financial muscle.

An advocate by profession, Patil had carved a niche for himself and earned the tag of an "efficient minister".

Patil's clean image was evident when noted social activist in the State and anti-corruption crusader, Anna Hazare, himself endorsed Patil's election campaign. Narmada Bachao Andolan leader, Medha Patkar, also spoke in support of Patil.