BJP veteran Raj K Purohit passes away a day after son Akash’s BMC victory

Over the years, Purohit emerged as a familiar and influential face in the city’s BJP organisation, especially in south Mumbai, where he was known for his strong grassroots presence.

• Senior BJP leader Raj K Purohit dies at 71 after prolonged illness in Mumbai
• Purohit was known for his work with migrant tenants and north Indian communities
• His son Akash Purohit recently won a BMC ward election in Mumbai

Did our AI summary help?

Senior BJP leader and former Maharashtra minister Raj K Purohit, a key figure associated with north Indian communities in Mumbai, died after a prolonged illness, sources told news agency PTI on Sunday. He was 71.

Purohit’s demise came shortly after his son, BJP leader Akash Purohit, secured a win from ward number 221 in the recently held Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, marking a significant moment for the family and the party.

He breathed his last at a private hospital in Mumbai on Saturday, according to sources. Over the years, Purohit emerged as a familiar and influential face in the city’s BJP organisation, especially in south Mumbai, where he was known for his strong grassroots presence.

Beginning his public life as a Mumbai municipal corporator, Purohit went on to become an MLA and later a minister in the Maharashtra government. Between 2014 and 2019, he served as the BJP’s chief whip in the state assembly. However, he was denied a ticket during the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections.

Party colleagues described him as an erudite and experienced leader whose absence would be deeply felt in Maharashtra’s political and social circles. Purohit was also widely regarded as a leading advocate for migrant tenants in Mumbai and had worked extensively for their welfare throughout his political career.

Paying tribute, BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde expressed grief over the loss. “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.

Recalling Purohit’s role as a champion of migrants, Tawde said he was seen as the biggest “messiah” of migrant tenants in the city. “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,” he added.

Sources said Purohit’s mortal remains will be kept at Rajhans Building on Marine Drive from 11 am to 1 pm on Sunday to allow people to pay their last respects.