BJP MLA Laxman Jagtap passed away in Pune here on Tuesday morning following prolonged illness.
Jagtap was sick for last two years. His health had been deteriorating for the past six months. In the month of March, his family took him to America for treatment. He returned home again in April 2022. Feeling continuously unwell, he was admitted to Jupiter Hospital in Baner for treatment.
Later his health became more alarming. Due to his strong will, he fought with death till the end. The doctors tried desperately, but finally exhausted all remedies and ended his life today said family members of the deceased.
He is survived by his wife Ashwini, daughter Eshwarya, brother former corporator Shankar and Vijuanna Jagtap. There is a feeling that the city’s politics have lost its strength.
In the past 35 years in city politics, he has been a four-time corporator and four-time MLA. In 2017, BJP came to single-handed power in Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation dominated by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar because of MLA Jagtap. He was the founder of Ganesh Cooperative Bank, New Millennium School, Pratibha College of Science and Commerce and other institutions in Sangvi. He was a founder member of Patanjali Institute, Haridwar. He was the pillar of many institutions and organizations in the city also, said family.
Laxmanbhau was seen as a strong local MLA in the politics of Pimpri Chinchwad. He became the first corporator in 1986. Later he got an opportunity to become the Chairman of the Standing Committee. He was the mayor of the city in the year 2000. Later, his name was mentioned as a strong contender for the Haveli Assembly seat, but Vilas Lande got a chance.
Later, he defeated Chandukaka Jagtap of Congress by running as an independent candidate for the Legislative Council of Pune Local Self-Government. In 2009, he ran as an independent candidate for the Chinchwad Assembly, defeating Shiv Sena’s current MP Srirang Barane and had drawn Vijayashree. Later, he gave a very tough fight as Shekap’s candidate from Maval Lok Sabha constituency, but Srirang Barane from Shiv Sena won there. Later, keeping in mind the changing political equations, he left the NCP and joined the BJP and became an MLA from the Chinchwad Legislative Assembly. In 2019 also he won with a huge margin and became the MLA for the fourth time. In 2017, all sources of Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation under Ajit Pawar came to BJP only because of MLA Jagtap. When Devendra Fadnavis was the Chief Minister, MLA Jagtap’s name was in the forefront for the ministerial post. Now due to his death, a big and serious question of leadership has arisen before the BJP. Leaders of all political parties have mourned his death.
