President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes after Pune MP Girish Bapat's demise, remembering the "humble and hardworking leader" who "worked extensively for the development of Maharashtra". Saddened to hear about the demise of Shri Girish Bapat, Member of Parliament from Pune. He was a grassroots leader who contributed to the development of Pune and Maharashtra and worked for well-being of the people. Condolences to his family and followers. — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 29, 2023 Shri Girish Bapat Ji was a humble and hardworking leader who served society diligently. He worked extensively for the development of Maharashtra and was particularly passionate about Pune's growth. His passing away is saddening. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti pic.twitter.com/17M0XpcwpF — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 29, 2023 Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Kiren Rijiju and S Jaishankar called him a "grassroot leader" who was at the "forefront of several community service efforts". Deepest condolences on the passing away of Shri Girish Bapat ji, Member of Parliament from Pune. His political contributions and personal friendships will be long remembered. My deepest sympathies to his family and many admirers. — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 29, 2023 Deeply saddened by the sad demise of Lok Sabha MP from Pune, Shri Girish Bapat. A known grassroot leader, he had worked tirelessly for the welfare of the people. I extend my deep condolences to his bereaved family. Om Shanti 🙏 pic.twitter.com/iwWkvwwxt2 — Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) March 29, 2023 Saddened by the passing away of Lok Sabha MP from Pune, Shri Girish Bapat. He was known as a grassroots leader who worked assiduously for the well-being of people. He was also at the forefront of several community service efforts. Condolences to his bereaved family. Om Shanti. — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) March 29, 2023 Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and former CM Uddhav Thackeray spoke in one voice to remember Bapat's "people-oriented leadership" who worked tirelessly for workers and farmers. भाजपाचे ज्येष्ठ नेते आणि पुणे लोकसभा मतदारसंघाचे खासदार गिरीश बापट यांच्या निधनाची बातमी अतिशय दुःखद आणि वेदनादायी आहे. नगरसेवक, आमदार, कॅबिनेट मंत्री ते खासदार अशी प्रदीर्घ कारकीर्द असलेले गिरीश बापट यांच्या निधनाने लोकाभिमुख नेतृत्व आज हरपले आहे. भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली! ॐ शांती pic.twitter.com/Td4P1VjRXn — Eknath Shinde - एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) March 29, 2023 भारतीय जनता पार्टीचे ज्येष्ठ नेते, पुण्याचे खासदार गिरीश बापट यांच्या निधनाचे वृत्त अत्यंत दु:खद आणि धक्कादायक आहे. पक्षनिष्ठ, पण पक्षापलिकडे जिव्हाळ्याचे संबंध जोपासणारे, सातत्याने जमिनीशी नाळ ठेवणारे, राजकारणातील एक उत्तुंग आणि अष्टपैलू व्यक्तिमत्त्व आपल्यातून निघून गेले आहे.… pic.twitter.com/twzkH4BVNK — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) March 29, 2023 भाजपचे ज्येष्ठ नेते, खासदार गिरीश बापट जी यांना भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली. त्यांच्या निधनाने महाराष्ट्राने एक व्यापक जनसंपर्क असलेला नेता आणि उत्कृष्ट संसदपटू गमावला आहे. त्यांच्या आत्म्यास शांती लाभो, ही ईश्वरचरणी प्रार्थना 🙏🏻 — Office of Uddhav Thackeray (@OfficeofUT) March 29, 2023 Bapat's demise is a big loss for Bharatiya Janata Party, Maharashtra unit president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said. Meanwhile, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said the news of Bapat's death was extremely saddening. Senior BJP leader and Maharashtra cabinet minister Chandrakant Patil said Bapat was like a guru and a father figure. "It is a big loss for the BJP as Bapat has left us forever. We used to learn a lot from him and his style of politics," Bawankule said. Patil said Bapat was like a guru for many BJP workers and his colleagues. "It is like losing a father figure from your life. His friendship across the party lines and contacts with people and party workers were unparallel. He was dedicated to the party and its growth. His demise is a huge loss to the party," Patil said. पुणे लोकसभा मतदारसंघाचे खासदार गिरीश बापट यांच्या निधनाचे वृत्त अत्यंत दुःखद आहे. चार दशकांच्या प्रदीर्घ कारकीर्दीत गिरीश बापट यांनी नेहमीच सर्वसमावेशक भूमिका घेत राजकीय प्रवास केला. #GirishBapat pic.twitter.com/qkATwWyx46 — Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) March 29, 2023 आमचे मार्गदर्शक गिरीशजी बापट यांचा स्वभाव ठाम आणि नम्र होता. राजकारणासोबत स्वयंपाकात सुद्धा त्यांची तितकीच गोडी होती. बापट साहेबांची उणिव भरून काढणे कठीण आहे.#GirishBapat pic.twitter.com/y4KnEIRaah — Chandrakant Patil (@ChDadaPatil) March 29, 2023 Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar said Pune district has lost a leader who believed in taking everyone along. "In Bapat's death, a cultured face of politics has lost," he said in a statement. Bapat, who was ailing for the last one-and-a-half-years, passed away at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune at 72 on Wednesday. He had served as the MLA five times from the Kasba Peth constituency in Pune city. He was elected to Lok Sabha from the Pune constituency in 2019.
