Pune MP Girish Bapat’s Imperishable Legacy!

Pune, 30th March 2023: Girish Bapat is the name without which the politics and social cause of Pune city cannot be complete. He was an inclusive leader who treated workers as ‘brothers’. He was also a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) volunteer, Telco company worker, three-time corporator, the PMC standing committee chairman, five-time MLA, minister, and BJP MP who won with record votes.

Bapat used to belong to one party only for elections. At other times, he was known as a man who favoured the opposition as well. This distinction in politics and immense public relations was the breath of Bapat. That’s why Bapat’s departure is a shock to everyone.

Girish Bapat was born on 3rd September 1950 in Pune. He completed his primary education at a Zilla Parishad school in Talegaon Dabhade. He did his secondary schooling at New English School, Ramanabagh, Pune, and his graduation from BMCC. After graduation, Bapat joined a Telco company as a worker in 1973. The leader in him took shape while in Telco where he led the labour union. During Emergency in 1975, he served 19 months of imprisonment in Nashik Jail.

His political career began in earnest after the Emergency. In 1980, he became BJP’s city secretary. Bapat contested his first municipal election in 1983, and his career, which started as a people’s representative, came to a stop only after his death today. Bapat was elected three times in a row.

Bapat had a different influence in the municipal corporation. In 1986, when the party was not in power, he became the Chairman of the Municipal Standing Committee. Bapat contested the election from Kasba but was unsuccessful. After this defeat, however, Bapat contested the 1995 assembly elections and won.

After that, till 2014, he became the only MLA to win five times in a row from Kasba.

After the BJP-Shiv Sena coalition government came to power in 1995, Bapat was appointed as the Chairman of the Krishna Valley Development Corporation. During this period, he resolved the issue of workers of the corporation. In 1999, he also held the post of President of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation.

In 2014, he served as Minister of Food and Civil Supplies, Consumer Protection, Food and Drug Administration Parliamentary Affairs in the government of Devendra Fadnavis. He was also the guardian minister of Pune. During his tenure as guardian minister, he played a major role in bringing BJP single-handedly to power in both Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporations.

After becoming guardian minister, Bapat cleared the stalled projects. He became the first President after establishing PMRDA. The Metro was launched during his time. Bapat had decided to go to the Lok Sabha from Pune while he was still a minister. He won the Lok Sabha elections in 2019 by a record margin of more than three lakh votes.

Bapat was known as the headmaster of politics in Pune. After winning the Lok Sabha seat in Pune, the BJP won all eight assembly constituencies. Bapat’s organizational skills played an important role in this. He will always be remembered by the people of Pune as a leader who is easily accessible to the workers, comes to the call without any fuss, and has a vision for urban planning.

Condolences and messages:

He believed in transparent politics. He had sent workers to inquire even during my illness. He will always be remembered as a leader of our time and a true friend. The experience with him from prison to public relations is still alive in front of our eyes.

– Dr Baba Adhaav, Senior Social Worker

Girish ji Bapat was a humble and hardworking leader who served society with great devotion. He has done substantial work for the development of Maharashtra. He was especially trying for the development of Pune. He also contributed significantly to the growth and party-building of the BJP in Maharashtra. He was an MP who was easily accessible to the general public for a visit.

— Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

The death of Pune MP and senior BJP leader Girish Bapat is an irreparable loss to the BJP. Bapatji remained devoted to the interests of the country and organization till his last breath. The entire organization stands with his family on this sad occasion. May the departed soul rest in peace. Om Shanti

— Amit Shah, Union Home Minister

MP Girish Bapat was known as a hearty, strong, and open-minded person. With his demise, comprehensive leadership in politics has been lost. Girishbhau had the knack for making opponents his own. He helped everyone without any political involvement.

— Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra Chief Minister

Girish Bapat has played a big role in the construction of Pune. Pune will never forget his work as a corporator, standing committee chairman, five consecutive MLAs, MPs, and guardian ministers. He had good relations with all the leaders and parties beyond the party walls.

— Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister

With the passing away of Girish Bapat, we have lost our support, guide and versatile personality who protected the interests of the party till his last breath. BJP’s great power is gone. We have seen from him how honest a BJP worker is. People of all parties loved him.

— Chandrasekhar Bawankule, State President, BJP

Girish Bapat was known as a good man of the old style of politics. When Shiv Sena was in alliance with BJP, he wholeheartedly preserved the alliance. He was a kind-hearted leader who kept everyone together. Such was his fame. He had a special affection for Shiv Sena.

— Uddhav Thackeray, Former Maharashtra Chief Minister

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