Laxman Jagtap, a BJP lawmaker and the architect of Pimpri-growth, Chinchwad’s passes away at age 59.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde claimed that the BJP has lost a strong leader and a devoted supporter.
Laxman Jagtap, a BJP lawmaker who was well-liked in the industrial city of Pimpri-Chinchwad, passed away on Tuesday morning at a Baner private hospital after a protracted illness. He was 59.
Jagtap, a Chinchwad MLA who lives in the Pimple Gurav neighbourhood, was put on ventilator support when he was brought to a private hospital more than two months ago.
At 2 p.m., the body will be delivered to his home, and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., members of the public may pay their respects. The funeral will start at 7 o’clock, a family member announced.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde paid respect, stating that Laxman Jagtap was a well-liked politician from Pimpri-Chinchwad. He was well-known for the development work he did in his constituency as an MLA. The BJP has lost a strong leader and a devoted supporter with his passing.
Jagtap, a fitness enthusiast, was diagnosed with a terrible illness two years ago, and as a result, his health began to deteriorate. However, according to his close aides, he continued to participate in party gatherings and marches and sought development projects in his constituency.
Twenty years ago, Jagtap won his first election as a corporator for the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. In 2000, he was elected mayor of Pimpri-Chinchwad. He was then chosen to lead the PCMC standing committee.
Despite running as an Independent in the Pune self-government constituency, Jagtap was chosen to serve in the Legislative Council in 2004.
He began his political career with the Congress before switching to the NCP in 1999, the year the party was founded. According to a close aide, he was regarded as Ajith Pawar, the leader of the NCP, “who had handed him complete control of the Pimpri-Chinchwad civic body.”
He switched to the BJP in 2014, and in 2019 he helped the party win the PCMC for the first time. He played a significant role in the BJP taking control of PCMC for the first time in more than three decades. He played a key role in the BJP’s ascent in Pimpri-Chinchwad from near oblivion. He stole PCMC from the Pawar family, according to BJP politician Sarang Kamtekar.
Jagtap was elected as an MLA in 2009 from the recently created Chinchwad constituency after being an MLC in 2004. He ran for office in the Maval constituency in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, but Shiv Sena candidate Shrirang Barne defeated him. He only ever lost once in his political career, and it was this one. In the 2019 elections, Jagtap won a third term as an MLA.
Jagtap’s condition deteriorated in April 2022, and he spent nearly a month in the intensive care unit until his condition recovered and he was able to go home.
Despite being ill, Jagtap travelled to Mumbai in June 2020 to cast his ballots for party candidates in the Rajya Sabha and State Legislative Council elections. He rode in the ambulance to Mumbai to cast his ballot and was praised highly by BJP leaders.
Jagtap is survived by his wife, son, daughter, and two brothers.