Girish Bapat (1950-2023) was an Indian Politician and a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He served as the MLA from the Kasba Peth constituency five times (1995-2014) before he was elected as MP from Pune in 2019. Bapat died at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune, Maharashtra on 29 March 2023 due to Prolonged Illness.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Girish Bhalchandra Bapat [1]MyNeta was born on Sunday, 3 September 1950 (age 72 years; at the time of death) in Talegaon, Pune, Maharashtra. His zodiac sign is Virgo. He did his schooling at New English School (NESR), Ramanbaug, Pune. He earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce from Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce, affiliated with Pune University, Pune, in 1972. [2]MyNeta
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5’ 9”
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family & Caste
He belongs to a Hindu Brahmin family, hailing from Talegaon, Pune.
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Bhalchandra Shankar Bapat, and his mother’s name is Pratibha Balchandra Bapat.
Wife & Children
His wife’s name is Girija Girish Bapat; she is a homemaker. His son’s name is Gaurav Bapat.
Girish Bapat with his wife, son, and daughter-in-law
Address
He resided in Flat No. 105, Ameya Apartment, 212, Shaniwar Peth, Pune-411030, Maharashtra.
Signature
Girish Bapat’s signature
Career
He joined BJP in 1980 after which he was appointed as Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), Pune. He served as a Corporator in the Pune Municipal Corporation from 1982 to 1997. In 1986, he was appointed the Standing Committee Chairman of Pune Municipal; he worked in that capacity till 1987. He was first elected as MLA from Kasba Peth in 1995. Thereafter, he was elected to the seat consequently four times in 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014. He was a Member of Maharashtra Krishna Valley Development Corporation from 1996 to 1998. He served as the Chairman of State Transport, Maharashtra from 1998 to 1999. He became the President of BJP, Pune in 2006. From 2009 to 204, he was the Chief Whip of BJP Legislative Party in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. He held the position of Chairman of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from 2010 t0 2014. Between 2014 to 2019, he held the positions of Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Minister of Food & Civil Supplies, and Minister for Food & Drug Administration in the Government of Maharashtra. He also served as the Maharashtra State Guardian Minister for the Pune district from December 2014 to 4 June 2019. He was elected as MP from Pune in the 2019 general elections.
Controversies
Criticized For Sharing His Nightly Porn Habit With Students
In 2015, Girish Bapat came under public scrutiny for indirectly confessing that he watched pornography to students during a convention in Pune. During the student’s convention, he went on to say,
We also watch those video clips which you see on your mobiles at night. Do not think we have turned old. We are still young at heart.”
Bapat’s statements caused major embarrassment to the BJP in Maharashtra. A law student named Yogesh Kamte filed a police complaint against Bapat for his alleged “obscene” remark at a public place under section 294 of IPC, but the police did not admit the complaint. NCP leader Vandana Chavan slammed Bapat, describing his comment as “uncultured and irresponsible,” while NCP activists were seen staging a silent demonstration in front of Bapat’s house. [3]Hindustan Times Later, Bapat attempted to downplay the controversy before the media by saying,
It was a comment made in a lighter vein. It had no obscene connotation. However, I could have avoided it.”
Viral Pictures with an ‘Unidentified’ Lady
In 2016, a picture of Girish Bapat holding the hand of a woman party worker surfaced on social media.
A viral image of Girish Bapat holding the hand of a woman party worker
The picture was clicked by an unidentified person during a BJP gathering at Wagholi, Pune. A number of netizens posted objectionable comments on the viral picture, maligning the character of the woman. Consequently, the 34-year-old woman approached the police and registered a case against the unidentified person who had clicked her pictures with Bapat. In her statement to the police, the woman stated that Bapat was like a father figure to her and had held her hand to pull her to the front to introduce her to CM Devendra Fadnavis. [4]The Indian Express
Maple Shelters Group Row
In 2016, a real estate group called Maple Group put up advertisement banners in Pune which featured pictures of PM Narendra Modi, Devendra Fadnavis, and Girish Bapat giving the impression that it was a government-sponsored scheme under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMAY). The cleverly-created ad also featured a disclaimer in which the Group stated that “it’s a Maple Shelters initiative aligned to the PMAY and not a government scheme.” [5]India Today
An advertisement of the Pune-based real estate group Maple Group carrying pictures of Narendra Modi, Devendra Fadnavis, and Guardian Minister of Pune Girish Bapat
Thereafter, a case of cheating was registered at the Shivajinagar police station against the Maple Group for the firm’s fraudulent advertising. Amid the controversy, a picture featuring Bapat and Agrawal together at a public function surfaced on social media following which he was linked with Agrawal.
The viral picture of Sachin Agrawal and Girish Bapat attending a function together in the aftermath of the Maple Shelters controversy in 2016
However, Bapat denied having any connection with Agrawal and said that he was not aware of his presence at the function. As per sources, Agrawal fled on a scooter riding pillion when the police arrived at the venue of the function. [6]The Economic Times
Trolled for an Ignorant Tweet
In 2019, Bapat committed a faux pas through his tweet in which he congratulated DRDO scientists for shooting down a satellite “which was keeping a watch on India.” His tweet in Marathi read,
India, using anti-satellite missile, successfully shot down a live satellite at 300 km from earth in outer space, which was keeping a watch on India”
What actually happened was that DRDO had shot down one of its own low-orbit satellites while testing an anti-satellite missile. Bapat’s ignorant tweet was massively trolled on the internet following which he deleted it. [7]Mumbai Mirror
Found Guilty of Restoring Licence of Blacklisted Fair Price Shop in Beed
In 2019, the Bombay high court slammed Bapat for restoring the licence of a blacklisted fair price shop belonging to Vibhishan Mane in Beed, Maharashtra which had been cancelled by the district supply officer (DSO) in November 2015. Additionally, Justice Ghuge noted that it was the third case before the court wherein he was accused of passing such unsustainable orders. The licence of Vibhishan Mane was cancelled by the DSO after a number of irregularities at his shop were reported by the local villagers. In August 2017, Mane contacted the deputy commissioner (civil supplies) to reverse the DSO’s order, but he upheld the order. Thereafter, Bapat set aside the licence revocation as well as the order of the deputy commissioner when Mane appealed to him for the same. [8]The Times of India
Assets & Properties
Moveable Assets
- Cash: Rs. 75,000
- Deposits in Banks: Rs. 85,18,667
- Bonds, Debentures and Shares: Rs. 18,320
- NSS, Postal Savings etc: Rs. 13,68,618
- Motor Vehicles: Rs. 28,43,000
- Jewellery: Rs. 1,33,000 (Gold 40 Gram)
Immovable Assets
- Agricultural Land: Rs. 1,00,53,000
- Residential Buildings: Rs. 2,90,95,000
- Others: Rs. 5,00,000
Note: The given estimates of moveable and immovable assets are according to the financial year 2018-19. It does not include the assets owned by his wife and dependents. [9]MyNeta
Net Worth
His net worth in 2019 was Rs. 5,17,92,555. It does not the net worth of his wife and dependents. [10]MyNeta
Death
On 29 March 2023, Bapat breathed his last at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune, Maharashtra where he was being treated for breathing-related issues. His mortal remains were brought to his residence in Kasba Peth for his last rites.
A picture of people paying last respects to Girish Bapat’s mortal remains in 2023
Facts/Trivia
- He was often referred to as Girishbhau in the local political circles of Pune. [11]The Indian Express
- Bapat’s friendship with Congress member Shantilal Suratwala and NCP leader Ankush Kakade across the political spectrum was the talk of the town in Pune 1980s and 90s. The acronym of the initials of their first names ‘GAS’ was used for them in political circles of Pune.
An old picture of Girish Bapat, Congress member Shantilal Suratwala, and NCP leader Ankush Kakade
References
