Ex-BJP MP Gunvantrao Sarode dead

Former Lok Sabha MP of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) from Maharashtra Dr Gunvantrao Sarode died Sunday in Jalgaon, a party official said.

He was 78.

Sarode, who hailed from Jalgaon district in north Maharashtra, was admitted in Sahyog Critical Centre in Jalgaon following illness.

The doctors announced his death this afternoon, the official said.

Sarode had won Lok Sabha elections in 1991 and 1996 on the BJP ticket from Jalgaon constituency.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said: "Sarode's association dates back to the days of Jan Sangh. It was his efforts that helped the BJP spread its work in areas like Jalgaon and Raver Lok sabha segments. His commitment to the service was commendable."

Sarode's last rites were performed in the evening in Jalgaon.