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Sitting BJP MLA Shivaji Kardile, who passed away following a heart attack Friday morning, was known for being friends with party leaders cutting across the political spectrum and had close contacts with the masses at the grassroot level. He was 66. His funeral held later in the day was attended by a sea of mourners, including politicians from different parties.
Kardile had been ailing for the past year. On Friday morning, he complained of breathlessness and was taken to a private hospital in Ahilyanagar where doctors declared him dead, BJP sources said.
From a dairy farmer, a hotelier, a bank chairman to an MLA and a minister, Kardile’s rise as a seasoned politician had been phenomenal on Ahilyanagar’s political terrain, where only two political families — the Vikhes and Thorats — have made a name for themselves. He was elected six times as MLA, ranking third on the popularity chart.
In his condolence message, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “The news about the death of Shivajirao Kardile is absolutely shocking. He was known as a leader who worked relentlessly for farmers. Be it in the district bank or Milk Sangh, he worked for the farmers at all places. His work in the field of cleanliness and health is praiseworthy. He used to take up the problems in his constituency with all seriousness and purpose and brought positive changes in the lives of the people. The party will always miss his presence.”
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said, “In the death of Shivajirao Kardile, we have lost a leader who always worked for the people and was known for being a sensitive leader. His death is a big loss to Ahilyanagar district. He was an MLA, a minister and district bank president. While holding various posts, he always gave priority to public interest. He worked hard to find solution to people’s problems. Rahuri taluka gained on the development front because of his hard work.”
Senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat said, “Shivajirao Kardile’s death is a shocking development. He was an MLA for years and was also a minister. He was a grassroot leader who was popular among the masses. He understood people’s problems, their sentiments and tried to resolve them.”
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar said, “Shivajirao Kardile’s sudden passing away has come as a shock for his family and people in his constituency. He became MLA several times and was also a minister. He will always be remembered for his public-oriented work.”
Former MP Sujay Vikhe-Patil said, “I can’t believe that Shivajirao Kardile has passed away. It is an extremely saddening moment for me. Just yesterday we were together for three hours at an event. We had lunch together…We had fought elections unitedly, he was my political guru. Entire district knows about our friendship. We remained together during all the ups and downs of politics. His death is a major blow to BJP-Sena alliance.”
Kardile was first elected as sarpanch of Burhannagar in the local self government polls in the 1990s. In 1995 he contested as an independent from the then Nagar-Newasa assembly seat and won. The BJP-Shiv Sena had backed him. In 1999, he again contested as an independent and won from the same seat. He was again backed by Sena-BJP alliance. After winning the seat, he was made a minister.
In 2004, he joined undivided NCP led by Sharad Pawar. The same year, he was elected on an NCP ticket from Nagar-Newasa constituency.
In 2009, he joined the BJP and won from Rahuri assembly seat. In 2014 he won from the same seat again. In 2019, however he lost the seat and in 2024, he again won the seat as BJP MLA. In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had attended his campaigning, holding a rally for him in Rahuri. Three years ago, he was elected as president of the district bank, which was the first for the BJP in Ahilyanagar.
As a minister, he had taken the important decision of giving subsidy on diesel to fishermen. He was also known as ”Chhavni Minister” for taking initiative for setting up shelters for live-stock during the drought period in Ahilyanagar.
Several of Kardile’s family members have carved a name for themselves on the political terrain of Ahilyanagar. Kardile’s son in law Sangram Jagtap, who is currently drawing all attention on Maharashtra’s political terrain, is in NCP led by Ajit Pawar. His second son-in-law Sandeep Kotkar is a former mayor. Of his four daughters, three daughters Suvarna Sandeep Kotkar, Sheetal Sangram Jagtap and Jyoti Amol Gade are former corporators of Ahilyanagar. His son Akshya is the district president of BJP Yuva Morcha. Late Arun Jagtap, father of his son in law Sangram Jagtap, was a former MLA.
