Tributes pour in as Cong MP dies of post-covid infection
PUNE: Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Rajeev Satav, died on Sunday due to post-covid complications, Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope said. He was 46.
Satav was admitted to Jehangir Hospital in the city on April 23, a day after he tested positive for Covid-19. Due to some complications, he was shifted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and later put on ventilator support. He tested negative last week but was on immunosuppressants, Tope said.
Four days ago, the Congress leader was diagnosed with Cytomegalovirus (a prevalent viral pathogen) that resulted in lung fibrosis. He was put on ventilator support once again but his lungs were so heavily infected that it became difficult for doctors to pull him out of it, Maharashtra minister of state Vishwajeet
Kadam said. Satav breathed his last at 5 am on Sunday.
Leaders from across political lines condoled the young MP’S death. Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to him as “an upcoming leader with much potential” in his condolence tweet. “Anguished by the passing away of my friend from Parliament, Shri Rajeev Satav Ji. He was an upcoming leader with much potential. Condolences to his family, friends and supporters,” Modi said.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi termed the demise as a “big loss”. “I’m very sad at the loss of my friend Rajeev Satav. He was a leader with huge potential who embodied the ideals of Congress. It’s a big loss for us all. My condolences and love to his family,” he tweeted. Satav was close to Gandhi and was given important political assignments such as consolidating Congress’ presence in Gujarat.
Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena expressed shock at Satav’s demise, with NCP chief Sharad Pawar describing him as a “studious and aggressive leader”.
Born on September 21, 1974, Satav studied at Pune’s Fergusson college and at ILS Law College. He was elected as an MLA in 2009 from Kalamnuri in Marathwada. In 2014, he became a Lok Sabha MP from Hingoli, his native place.
Satav’s last rites will be performed on Monday morning, his family said.