BJP Chinchwad MLA Laxman Jagtap dies at 59

PUNE: Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Chinchwad constituency and former mayor of Pimpri Chinchwad Laxman Jagtap passed away at a private hospital in Baner on Tuesday following a prolonged illness. He was 59.
Jagtap was a four-time corporator before becoming an MLA. He was active in politics for over three decades and was in news recently for attending the voting for the Rajya Sabha election and Maharashtra legislative council elections despite his poor health in May and June, respectively. He was taken to Mumbai in an ambulance to cast vote, which had become a prestige issue for the party due to a very close contest between the BJP and the opposition parties.
Jagtap started his political career with Congress in 1986 and joined NCP in 1999. He was known as a close confidante of NCP leader Ajit Pawar. He joined BJP in 2014.
Expressing grief over his demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter posted, "Pained by the passing away of MLA in the Maharashtra Assembly Shri Laxman Jagtap Ji. He made a great contribution to public welfare and for the development of Pune and the surrounding areas. Condolences to his family and supporters."
CM Eknath Shinde also took to Twitter and posted, "MLA Laxman Jagtap was known as a people's representative who was constantly working for the upliftment of the Constituency."
Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said, "Just last week, Muktatai Tilak passed away and now Laxmanbhau. The party has suffered a great loss with his demise. As mayor and an MLA, he contributed a lot to the development of the city."
Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Ajit Pawar said, "We lost a close colleague today, a public representative who worked passionately for the people's issues. His work in political and social life will always be remembered. He contributed a lot to the development of Pimpri Chinchwad."