Ex-Maharashtra BJP Minister Raj Purohit Passes Away at 71
A well-known figure in Mumbai BJP circles, he had served as the party's city president and a minister in the Maharashtra government
Mumbai: Former Maharashtra Minister and former Mumbai BJP President Raj K. Purohit passed away in Mumbai following a prolonged illness. He was 71.
Purohit breathed his last at a private hospital in the city late Saturday. Once regarded as one of the most influential leaders of the BJP’s city unit, Purohit had served as the party’s city president and a minister in the Maharashtra government, and was the BJP’s chief whip in the assembly between 2014-19. He was elected four times as a Member of the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha from the Mumbadevi Assembly constituency and once from the Colaba constituency in Mumbai. However, he was denied a ticket in the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections.
In the recently concluded Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Purohit’s son and BJP leader Akash Purohit won from ward number 221.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep sorrow over the demise of his party leader. Taking to X, the Chief Minister wrote, “The news of the demise of senior BJP leader and close friend of all of us, Raj Purohitji, is very sad. With his demise, the BJP and the entire party have lost a hearty personality.”
“As an MLA, Pratod and Mumbai President of the BJP, he contributed greatly to the expansion of the party in various roles. He always stood as a strong support in the organisational process. Firmness and aggression were his constant qualities. He was always enthusiastic, full of confidence and positivity,” the Chief Minister said.
Paying tribute, BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde said he was pained to learn about Purohit’s demise.
“From a Mumbai municipal corporator to an MLA and a minister in the Maharashtra assembly, my friend Raj Purohit was a popular public representative deeply connected with the people,” Tawde said in a post on X.
Purohit was regarded as the biggest ‘messiah’ of migrant tenants living in Mumbai and had worked throughout his life for their upliftment, he noted.
“His demise is an irreparable loss for the BJP in Maharashtra and for me personally. I pray to God to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family and admirers,” Tawde said.