India, Oct. 18 -- BJP MLA Shivaji Kardile, who represented the Rahuri constituency in Maharashtra's Ahilyanagar district, passed away following a heart attack on Friday, sources close to the family said.He was 66.

Kardile suffered a heart attack in the morning. He was rushed to a hospital in Ahilyanagar, where doctors declared him dead, said the family sources.

The BJP leader, who is survived by his wife, a son and daughters, had been suffering from a spinal ailment for an extended period and had largely withdrawn from public life for over a year, party sources said.

His last rites will be performed later in the day. Kardile began his political career as a sarpanch. A six-time legislator, Kardile had won five consecutive terms. In the ...