Mumbai:
Senior BJP leader Ram Kapse passed away today after a prolonged illness. He was 82.
Mr Kapse, who was ailing for past eight years, breathed his last at his Kalyan residence in adjoining Thane district at around 4 am, Maharashtra BJP chief spokesperson Madhav Bhandari told PTI.
His last rites were performed in Kalyan today.
Mr Kapse, born on December 1, 1933, was a former Lt Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
He was a prominent leader of BJP in Maharashtra and represented Thane in the 9th and 10th Lok Sabha.
In his condolence message, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said he was saddened by the demise of the senior leader who was a great parliamentarian and an inspiration.
"Rambhau was one of the leaders who expanded BJP's base in Maharashtra and always worked hard to solve problems of the common man," he said.
"My deepest condolences to Ram Kapse ji's family, friends and all BJP workers," he posted on Twitter.
BJP president Amit Shah tweeted: "Express my deepest condolences to the family of Shri Ram Kapse ji our senior leader & former Lt. Gov of Andaman & Nicobar on his sad demise."
Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said, "my heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Rambhau Kapse, veteran BJP leader & Ex-MP from Thane and former Lt Governor Andaman & Nicobar."
Describing the former Thane lawmaker as an ideal for a generation of party workers, state BJP chief Raosaheb Danve said, "Mr Kapse was committed to ideology. He kept the common man at the centre stage, while discharging responsibilities as a corporator, legislator, MP and Lt Governor."
Education minister Vinod Tawde said, "Maharashtra lost a gem! Ram Kapse ji's demise is an intimate loss. He was a mentor, leader, a guiding force and a true patriot."