Mumbai, May 30 (PTI) Balu Dhanorkar, the lone Congress Lok Sabha member of the Congress from Maharashtra, died at a private hospital in Delhi, early morning on Tuesday early morning, a party leader said. He was 48 years old and is survived by wife Pratibha Dhanorkar, an MLA, and two sons, PTI reported. "He was admitted to a Nagpur-based hospital last week for the treatment of kidney stones. He was later shifted to New Delhi...," Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat said. Dhanokar started his political career in the Balasaheb Thackeray-led Shiv Sena in Chandrapur district and won the assembly election in 2014. However, he was keen on contesting the Lok Sabha election from the Chandrapur seat, which was traditionally contested by the BJP's Hansraj Ahir. Dhanorkar joined the Congress and defeated Ahir. His wife won from the Warora-Bhadrawati assembly seat in 2019.
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Indian Youth Congress President Srinivas B V and other leaders condoled Dhanorkar's death.
"The news of the sudden demise of Balubhau Dhanorkar, Lok Sabha member from Chandrapur is very sad. He kept striving for the development of his region and Maharashtra," Murmu said on Twitter.
"Saddened by the passing away of Lok Sabha MP from Chandrapur, Balubhau Narayanrao Dhanorkar Ji. He will be remembered for his contribution to public service and empowering the poor. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti," Modi said.
Dhanorkar's mortal remains will be kept at his hometown in Warora in Chandrapur district Tuesday afternoon for people to pay their last respects, news agency PTI said. The last rites will be held in Warora on Wednesday morning. Dhanorkar began his political career in the Shiv Sena led by Balasaheb Thackeray and rose through the party ranks to become a Member of the Legislative Assembly in 2014.
He quit the Shiv Sena to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as a Congress candidate against BJP strongman and four-term Parliamentarian Hansraj Ahir. Dhanorkar defeated Ahir, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, by a margin of 44,763 votes and wrested the Chandrapur Lok Sabha seat for the Congress. He was the only Lok Sabha member of the Congress from Maharashtra.
Dhanorkar's wife Pratibha is a Member of Legislative Assembly from Warora-Bhadrawati assembly seat in Maharashtra. Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, said he was deeply saddened by the sudden demise of his colleague in the Lok Sabha. "The untimely demise of Dhanorkar has left a great void in the political circles in Maharashtra," he said.
"Saddened to learn about the untimely passing away of Shri Suresh Narayan Dhanorkar, Congress MP (Lok Sabha) from Chandrapur Maharashtra. He was a grassroots leader. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and followers,” Kharge said.
"I am saddened by the demise of Suresh Dhanorkar. He dedicated his life to fulfill the aspirations of the common people and carry their hopes and expectations to the Lok Sabha," Lok Sabha Speaker om Birla said.
Rahul Gandhi said Dhanorkar's demise has caused an irreparable loss to the Congress family. "He will remain alive in our memories forever." Gandhi said.