Maharashtra Navnirman Sena legislator from Pune’s Khadakwasla constituency, Ramesh Wanjale, passed away on Friday at about 9:15 pm at Jehangir Hospital.
He was 47 and is survived by his wife, two daughters and one son. His wife Harshada Wanjale is a Congress member of the Pune Zilla Parishad from Uttamnagar.
The director (medical services) of Jehangir Hospital, Dr Prasad Muglikar, confirmed the legislator’s death.
“He was brought to the hospital at around 8:30 pm pulseless and without any blood pressure. Our team of doctors did their best to revive him. But at 9:15 pm he passed away,” Dr Muglikar added.
The hospital has recommended an autopsy.
According to MNS sources he was in his constituency on Friday morning. At a programme he complained of uneasiness. A local doctor suggested an MRI scan and he was taken to Joshi Hospital near Bhandarkar Road.
“While undergoing MRI his condition worsened and was immediately rushed to Jehangir Hospital,” sources in Joshi Hospital said.
Party workers and Wanjale’s supporters from his constituency rushed to the hospital after hearing the sad news. City president of MNS, Ranjit Shirole, described his death of extremely unfortunate.
“His untimely death has created a void in the political circle in Pune. He was a true leader of the masses with charisma,” Shirole added.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray is rushing to the city on Saturday.
In the 2009 assembly elections, Wanjale, who was a virtual political non-entity stunned his political opponents including BJP bigwig Murlidhar Mohol by winning the Khadakvasla seat. He was the only MNS MLA from Pune.
Thick gold chains around his neck, gold bracelets on his right wrist and gold rings defined his persona.
Essentially a farmer, who became wealthy due to rising land prices in and around the city, Wanjale had represented Pune Zilla Parishad as a Congressman and has been politically active for the past 15 years in Ahire village and the Haveli Panchayat Samiti. He is also the president of Jai Ganesh Education Society.
