Thane, Sep 22 (UNI) Senior BJP and RSS leader and former member of Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) representing Konkan Graduates Constituency, Vasantrao Patwardhan died of a heart attack this morning at Thane.

Patwardhan who complained chest pain and uneasiness around 0900 hrs died shortly after some time. He was 76 and is survived by his wife Sunanda and a son.

A senior party leader who was instrumental in the growth of BJP and RSS in Thane, Patwardhan took active interst in developmental work in rural parts of the district. He was involved in providing education to tribals in rurals parts of Thane district.

During a visit to the predominently tribal Jawhar taluka in Thane district former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee also went to the ashram school run by Patwardhan.

He was also the director of the Jana Kalyan Sahakari Bank, and was associated with various organisations in the district and state.

He was revered as a father figure in the party and the Sangh, both in the district as well as the state.

Several prominent leaders from Thane and the state paid tributes to late Patwardhan. Maharashtra BJP President Nitin Gadkari in his message from Nagpur condoled the death of late Patwardhan.

Patwardhan was later cremeated at a civic cremitorium here.

UNI XR/JM KU SK GC1643