Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Maharashtra minister Raj K Purohit died following an illness, sources said on Sunday. Following his demise, political leaders expressed their grief.

Purohit passed away at a private hospital in Mumbai on Saturday. He was 71.

In the recently concluded BMC Election 2026, Raj Purohit’s son and BJP leader Akash Purohit won from Ward No. 221.

A well-known face in Mumbai’s BJP circles, Purohit had served as the party’s city president and was a minister in the Maharashtra government. He was also the BJP’s chief whip in the state Assembly between 2014 and 2019.

He was once considered one of the most influential leaders of the BJP’s Mumbai unit and held significant political influence in south Mumbai. However, he was denied a ticket in the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Party leaders said his death has left Maharashtra’s political and social life poorer, describing him as an experienced and well-read leader with strong grassroots connections.

Political leaders pay tribute

Paying tribute, BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde said he was deeply saddened by Purohit’s demise.

“From a Mumbai municipal corporator to an MLA and a minister in the Maharashtra Assembly, my friend Raj Purohit was a popular public representative who was deeply connected with the people,” Tawde said in a post on X.

मुंबई महानगरपालिका नगरसेवक से लेकर महाराष्ट्र विधानसभा के विधायक एवं मंत्री के रूप में जनता से जुड़े हुए लोकप्रिय जनप्रतिनिधि मेरे मित्र राजपुरोहित जी के निधन की सूचना अत्यंत पीड़ादायक है।

विशेषकर मुंबई में रहने वाले भाडुतों के राजपुरोहित जी सबसे बड़े मसीहा थे। उनके उत्थान के… pic.twitter.com/YIDiUoe2f1

— Vinod Tawde (@TawdeVinod) January 18, 2026

Tawde also described Purohit as a major supporter of migrant tenants in Mumbai and said he had worked throughout his life for their welfare.

“His passing is an irreparable loss for the BJP in Maharashtra and a personal loss for me,” he added.

Ajit Pawar expressed condolences to his family. In a post on X, he wrote, “Purohit was a well-read, outspoken leader who worked tirelessly in the public interest. His passing marks the end of a committed and people-oriented leadership.”

भाजपचे ज्येष्ठ नेते व माजी मंत्री राज पुरोहित यांच्या निधनाचं वृत्त अत्यंत दुःखद आहे. अभ्यासू, आक्रमक आणि जनहितासाठी सातत्यानं काम करणारं नेतृत्व काळाच्या पडद्याआड गेलं आहे. मी त्यांना भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली अर्पण करतो. त्यांच्या कुटुंबियांच्या दुःखात आम्ही सहभागी आहोत. pic.twitter.com/QKzKiOd7FY

— Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) January 18, 2026

Raje expresses grief

Senior BJP leader Vasundhara Raje expressed deep sorrow over the death of veteran BJP leader Raj K. Purohit.

In a post on X, Raje said Purohit had strong roots in Rajasthan and shared a close bond with the people of the state. She described his passing as a major loss for the region.

She also prayed for peace for the departed soul and strength for the bereaved family to cope with the loss during this difficult time.

भारतीय जनता पार्टी के वरिष्ठ नेता एवं महाराष्ट्र सरकार के पूर्व मंत्री श्री राज के. पुरोहित जी के निधन का समाचार अत्यंत दुःखद है।

वे राजस्थान के थे, इसलिए यहाँ के लोगों से उनका आत्मीय रिश्ता था। उनका निधन प्रदेश के लिए एक बड़ी क्षति है। ईश्वर से प्रार्थना है कि दिवंगत की आत्मा… pic.twitter.com/MpgttDm47R

— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) January 18, 2026

Praful Patel pays tribute to Raj Purohit

NCP leader Praful Patel also expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Maharashtra minister Raj Purohit.

In a post on X, Patel said that with Purohit’s passing, the state has lost a well-read and forthright personality. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and relatives and paid his respectful tribute to the late leader.

माजी मंत्री राज पुरोहित यांच्या निधनाचे वृत्त अत्यंत दुःखद आहे. त्यांच्या निधनाने एक अभ्यासू व स्पष्टवक्ते व्यक्तिमत्व आज हरपले आहे. ह्या दुःखद प्रसंगी, त्यांचे कुटुंबीय व आप्तजनांच्याप्रती सहसंवेदना व्यक्त करतो. भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली. pic.twitter.com/00No0aevD4

— Praful Patel (@praful_patel) January 18, 2026

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