BJP MLA Kishore Vankawala no more

BJP MLA from Surat, Kishore Vankawala, passed away on Saturday, after a long battle with lung cancer. He was 69. His demise also means continuation of Gujarat assembly’s jinx of 182.

A two-time MLA, the soft-spoken Vankawala was elected to the assembly from Surat (West) seat. He was diagnosed with lung cancer last year, and was undergoing treatment for it since. He was admitted to a private hospital in Surat for more than a week.

Vankawala breathed his last on Saturday morning. He is survived by his wife and daughter. BJP workers and leaders rushed to Vankawala’s house.

In public life for close to 50 years, Vankawala was involved with Jan Sangh and BJP from early days, and was known for his excellent organisational skills. He had served as president of Surat BJP and vice president of Gujarat BJP. He was very popular among BJP workers and leaders, and had friends even in other parties. He was also actively involved in various social organisations.

His final rites were performed on Saturday afternoon. With Vankawala’s death, the Gujarat legislative assembly’s jinx of 182 continues. The total number of assembly seats in the state is 182, but it doesn’t function at full strength for long due to passing away of one or the other MLA.

Assembly elections were held in December, but Savita Khant, winner from Morva Hadaf constituency, died before taking oath. By-elections to Morva Hadaf and other seats were held recently. However, the number is once again down to 181 following the Surat MLA’s demise.

Chief minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened by Vankawala’s death.