Ex-NCP MLA Vallabh Benke dies at 74

Pic/Ajit PawarX

Former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Vallabh Benke died due to a brief illness at a private hospital, a source close to the family said on Monday.

Benke (74), who was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Chakan town near Pune, died on Sunday night, he said.

He is survived by his wife and three sons, including NCP MLA Atul Benke.

The mortal remains have been kept at his residence in Narayagaon for a last darshan, and the funeral will take place later in the day, it was stated.

A staunch supporter of Sharad Pawar, Benke contested and won elections from the Junnar assembly constituency four times between 1985 and 2009.

He had been inactive in politics since 2014 due to health reasons.

In a post on 'X', Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that with Benke's death, a leader who fought for farmers and labourers has been lost.

"With the death of former NCP MLA Vallabhsheth Benke, an accomplished leader who fought for farmers and laborers and played an important role in the development of Junnar Taluka and Pune district has been lost. The political, social and cooperative sector of Pune district has suffered a great loss. I pay my heartfelt tribute to him.

"Vallabhsheth Benke was first elected to the Junnar Legislative Assembly in 1985. After that, he became MLA for the second time in 1990. In the year 2004 and 2009, he again represented Junnar Constituency in the Legislative Assembly. He was popular in the entire Pune district due to his strong statement and grip on the administration. Due to the death of Vallabhsheth Benke, who was the support of activists, MLA Atul Benke and his family have fallen in grief. I and the entire NCP party share in the grief of MLA Atul Benke and his family as well as his workers," Pawar posted on X in Marathi.