78-year-old Bankhele, who breathed his last yesterday, was known for his simple lifestyle and easy rapport with the common man.
He had defeated powerful Congress candidate Ramkrishna More in 1988 Lok Sabha election which he fought as a Janata Dal nominee.
His poll campaign made news as he used a jeep donated by people, making small contributions to facilitate his travel in the constituency. He was also a three-term MLA in the state legislature winning the Assembly elections in 1972, 1980 and 1984.