Tushar Gaikwad, Congress Leader and Varsha Gaikwad Brother, Passes Away

Tushar Gaikwad, brother of Congress leader Varsha Gaikwad and son of late Congress leader Eknath Gaikwad, has passed away on Tuesday morning, May 19. He was associated with the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee.

The exact cause of Tushar Gaikwad’s death has not yet been disclosed. His passing has led to grief among Congress workers and supporters across Maharashtra. The Gaikwad family is considered one of the prominent political families in Maharashtra Congress politics. Eknath Gaikwad was a senior Congress leader who held several important positions during his political career. He died due to COVID-19 in 2021.

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Tushar Gaikwad was regarded as an influential figure within the party organisation at the local level, although he did not hold any major elected office. Party workers described his death as a significant loss for the Congress in Maharashtra.

The Gaikwad family has long remained loyal to the Congress party and the Gandhi family. The family holds considerable influence in Mumbai, particularly in Dalit-dominated areas.

Varsha Gaikwad has served as MLA from Dharavi and is currently the Member of Parliament from Mumbai North Central. She has also served as a minister in the Maharashtra government.

आज आमच्या आयुष्यात मोठी पोकळी निर्माण झाली…माझा लाडका दादा तुषार आम्हाला कायमचा सोडून गेला

लहानपणापासून प्रत्येक संकटात माझ्या पाठीशी खंबीरपणे उभा राहणारा तू.. माझ्या प्रत्येक आनंदात सहभागी होणारा तू.. आणि माझ्या प्रत्येक दुःखात आधार देणारा तू.. आज अचानक निघून गेलास...

तू फक्त… pic.twitter.com/WgcSqgZxfD

— Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) May 19, 2026

Following the death of her brother Tushar Gaikwad, Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad shared an emotional post on X, saying his death had created a “huge void” in the family’s life. Remembering him as not just a brother but also a friend, guide and constant support, she said he had stood by her side through every difficult phase since childhood. Referring to him as “Tushardada”, she recalled the joyful moments, conversations and memories they shared together and said life without him felt unimaginable, especially after the death of their father, late Congress leader Eknath Gaikwad. She also mentioned that he had endured a lot of pain in recent days and prayed for peace in his onward journey.