Former MP Bapu Kaldate passes away

MUMBAI: Former Member of Parliament Dr Bapu Kaldate passed away today after prolonged illness in Aurangabad.

The end came around shortly after midnight at a hospital there. He was 82.

Kaldate, who also served as General Secretary and spokesperson of Janta Dal was a noted orator. Late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan had said that Kaldate was his "guru" in public speaking.

The ex-MP was close to several top leaders across the political spectrum including former Prime Minister Chandrasekhar and Union Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar.

Chandrasekhar had once disclosed at a public function that Kaldate had spurned his offer of a cabinet ministerial berth when he came the PM, citing ideological reasons.

Kaldate was a former member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and was described as a "giant killer" in state politics after he defeated the then Co-operatives Minister Keshav Sonawane in the assembly polls in late 60s.

He was long associated with the Rashtra Seva Dal and was among the confidantes of veteran socialist leader S M Joshi.

Kaldate, who belonged to Isthal village in Beed district of Marathwada region is survived by wife and two daughters.

He will be cremated at Aurangabad this evening.