Wanjale passes away

News of his death has left MNS activists, politicians and everyone who knew him in shock, but for the many who knew him as the 'gold man' or 'man with the golden heart', he lives on

Wanjale passes away

News of his death has left MNS activists, politicians and everyone who knew him in shock, but for the many who knew him as the 'gold man' or 'man with the golden heart', he lives on

Ramesh Wanjale (45), the man famously known as the 'gold man', and the only Pune MLA elected from Khadakwasala constituency in 2009, passed away in Jahangir Hospital at 10.05 pm last night following a cardiac arrest. Though the doctors at the hospital tried hard to stabilise his condition, he failed to respond to the treatment. Wanjale complained of chest pains at Wadgaon Dhairi on Sinhagad Road and was rushed to Joshi Hospital off Bhandarkar Road at 5.30 pm. He was later shifted to Jahangir Hospital near Pune Railway Station as his condition deteriorated. Wanjale is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son. Wanjale's body was later sent to Sassoon General Hospital for post mortem.

General Secretary, MNS, Pune Anil Shidore confirmed the news of Wanjale's death to MiD DAY. He said "Doctors at Jahangir Hospital tried everything possible to save Wanjale and it was decided to conduct an Angioplasty. Wanjale's condition worsened and he died during treatment at about 10.05 pm." Abhay Chhajed, Pune city Congress president, said that Wanjale had chronic diabetics and that might have led to a heart attack. Meanwhile Raj Thackeray along with other senior MNS officials left for Pune to attend the funeral.

"Wanjale used to visit several places in a single day. In the summer vacation he used to attend 20 to 30 weddings in a single day and was never seen relaxing," said a close friend of Wanjale. In the past month, he never said no to anyone from his constituency, who invited him to a wedding. This might have caused stress and brought on the attack, the source said. Wanjale's death was not officially declared by the Jahangir Hospital till 11.30 pm. Dr Prasad Muglikar, medical director of the hospital was not reachable for comment.

The heavy downpour did not stop people from reaching the hospital after they heard the news that he had had been admitted. Mayor Mohansing Rajpal, eight PMC corporators, MLAs from BJP and Shiv Sena were
present to make enquiries about his health. Police bandobast was made at the Jahangir Hospital as well as at the Sassoon Hospital to control the crowds.

Man with a golden heart!
Wanjale was fascinated with gold ornaments and used to wear gold thick gold chains and bracelets totally weighing u00a0800 grams and worth Rs 12 lakh. "This is my style statement to connect with my voters as the 'man with a golden heart'," Wanjale had said. He was so popular that young men from Pune and surrounding areas gathered to get his autograph. "We lost a good friend and a 'one man army' of MNS," said u00a0Pravin Darekar, MLA from Mumbai. "He was enthusiastic and hard working and gave the party a prestigious level in Pune. It is really sad that he died so early," he added.