BJP leader and MP from Maharashtra's Palghar Chintaman N. Vanga passed away in a New Delhi hospital on Tuesday afternoon following a massive heart attack, a party official said.
According to the official, Vanga was rushed to the RML Hospital after he suffered a heart attack, but succumbed.
He was 67 and is survived by his wife and five children.
Vanga, a lawyer by profession, was elected thrice to Lok Sabha from Palghar constituency, including when it was earlier a part of Thane, around 90 km north of Mumbai, bordering Gujarat.
Considered the tribal face of BJP in the tribal belts of Thane and Palghar, he was first elected to Lok Sabha in 1996, then 1999 and again in 2014, when he was the sitting MLA from Vikramgad since 2009.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "pained by the unfortunate demise" of his colleague Vanga.
"He played an important role in building the BJP in the Thane region and did commendable work for the welfare of tribals. My thoughts are with his family and supporters in this sad hour," said Modi in a tweet.
Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah said he was pained to learn about the untimely demise of Vanga.
"He devoted his entire life for the welfare of tribals and deprived. His passing away is an irreparable loss to the BJP," Shah said in a condolence tweet.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his condolences to the Vanga family.
"Shocked and saddened to know about the sudden demise of our MP from Palghar, Chintaman Vangaji, who was known for his simplicity," Fadnavis said in a message.
Tribal Development Minister and Palghar 'Guardian Minister' Vishnu Sawra recalled Vanga's services to the people and for the development of the tribals and backward classes in the region among whom he was very popular.
"He never used his legal profession as a means of business or profiteering, but helped thousands of poor people by fighting their cases free," Sawra said in a tribute.
Condolences have also poured in from Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Ramdas Athawale, Rajyavardhan Rathore and others besides several Maharashtra ministers and leaders on Vanga's sudden demise as hundreds of mourners gathered at his residence in Palghar.
Vanga's body will be brought to Mumbai later and kept for people to pay their last respects between dawn to noon Wednesday, after which the last rites will be performed in Talasari village.--IANS
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