NCP MLA Bharat Bhalke Dies Of Post-Covid Complications, Sharad Pawar Expresses Shock Saying 'Pandharpur Lost People Friendly Leader'

Mourning the untimely demise of Pandharpur-Mangalvedha constituency MLA Bharat Bhalke, NCP President Sharad Pawar said, "Pandharpur taluka had lost an efficient and a people friendly leader."

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Three-time Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA from Pandharpur-Mangalvedha constituency in Solapur district, Bharat Bhalke breathed his last on Saturday (November 28) in Pune while undergoing treatment for post-COVID complications. 60-year-old Bhalke was admitted to a Pune-based private hospital earlier this month after being diagnosed with acute respiratory distress syndrome. According to the reports, the NCP legislator had tested positive for Covid-19 on October 30 and had returned home after recovery. However, he developed post Covid-19 complications such as recurrent fever and a cough following which he was readmitted to hospital on November 9. News Agency PTI reported that his condition worsened following which he was put on ventilator supper, and succumbed to Corona complications. Mourning the untimely demise of Bhalke, NCP President Sharad Pawar said, "Pandharpur taluka had lost an efficient and a people friendly leader."

Bhalke had defeated five-time MLA Sudhakar Paricharak in 2014 and 2019 Assembly polls. Earlier in 2009, the former wrestler had defeated former minister Vijaysinh Mohite Patil and won the Assembly elections. Then again in 2014, Bhalke won on a Congress ticket and became an MLA for the third time contesting elections as Pawar led NCP candidate. A vocal advocate of the Maratha quota, Mr. Bhalke had resigned from the legislative Assembly in 2018 when he was a Congress MLA. Over 1,35,000 people have succumbed to Coronavirus in India ever since the breakout of the deadly disease in the country. This includes many well-known politicians and leaders such as former President of India Pranab Mukherjee, Union Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi, senior Congress Leaders Ahmed Patel, Tarun Gogoi and others.