Cong MLA's son's last rites held in Rajkot

The last rites of Tankara Congress MLA Lalit Kagathra's son were held in Rajkot on Sunday morning. Vishal (35), Kagathra's elder son, died in an accident in West Bengal on Saturday when the luxury bus he and his family were travelling in, met with an accident in Behrampura.

Hundreds of people including members of both major political parties reached the Kagathra residence to offer their condolences on the demise of the young man.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was also present there for the final rites conducted at the residence of Lalit Kagathra, who is the Congress' candidate for the Rajkot Lok Sabha seat in the ongoing elections. Rajkot West is the Legislative seat of the CM and he shares close ties with the Kagathra family.

Congress political leaders Paresh Dhanani and Lalit Vasoya were also present on Sunday. Local businessman Mohit Parmar, who also attended the ceremonies, said, "The atmosphere at the residence was unbearable for people with weak hearts. Lalitbhai hugged the CM while crying his heart out. Vijaybhai had come with his wife Anjaliben."

The CM said this was an unbelievable incident and that he prayed that God give strength to the family of the deceased. He said it is difficult to imagine the sudden death of such a young person and wished that such a calamity would not befall any other family. CM Rupani had lost his own son Pujit at a young age some years ago.

Rupani said that he is close to the Kagathra family and that they were neighbours when Rupani was Mayor of Rajkot. Kagathra's wife Ilaben was also a corporator at the RMC. CM Rupani's private residence is in Rajkot's Saurashtra Kala Kendra, walking distance from Kagathra's home.

On the day of the election in Gujarat, when Rupani stepped out of the voting booth in Rajkot, Lalit Kagathra, currently the sitting MLA of Tankara, was there and he had offered salutations to the CM. The picture had gone viral on social media.

Earlier on Saturday morning, Vishal, along with his wife, son, brother, sister-in-law and friends missed their flight to Kolkata from Behrampur. They then decided to go by road and met with an accident. Vishal, who was sitting in the last window seat, grievously injured his head. He lost his life due to lack of immediate medical treatment at the site.