Tukaram Bidkar (also spelled Tukaram Birkad; died 13 February 2025) was an Indian politician and actor. He was a member of the Nationalist Congress Party and served as a Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from Murtizapur Assembly constituency from 2004 to 2009. He also chaired the Vidarbha Statutory Development Board.
Background
Tukaram Bidkar was born in Tolangabad, Maharashtra. He was a kabaddi player and received an award from President Giani Zail Singh. He also mentored athletes through the Jai Bajrang Vyayamshala.[1]
Bidkar died in a traffic collision in Akola, Maharashtra, on 13 February 2025.[2][3][1]
Political career
Bidkar began his political career as a member of the Zilla Parishad. In 2004, he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Murtizapur Assembly constituency.[1] He was also appointed the chairman of the Vidarbha Statutory Development Board.[4]
He was associated with Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party. After the Nationalist Congress Party split, he aligned with the faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.[1]
Bidkar also served as the Vice President of the Akhil Bharatiya Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad, Maharashtra.[5]
Film career
Bidkar also appeared in Marathi films. He played a notable role in Debu, a film that he also produced, based on the life of Sant Gadge Maharaj.[6] He later appeared in Khairlanjichya Mathyawar (2014), Zari (2017), and Tu Fakt Ho Mhan (2022). He also had a role in Aasud (2019), a Marathi film addressing farmer suicides.[1]
Filmography
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Debu | Based on Gadge Maharaj's life; also producer |
| 2014 | Khairlanjichya Mathyawar | |
| 2017 | Zari | Also producer |
| 2019 | Aasud | |
| 2022 | Tu Fakt Ho Mhan |
References
- ^ a b c d e "राष्ट्रवादीच्या माजी आमदाराचा अपघाती मृत्यू; मंत्र्यांना भेटण्यासाठी गेले होते विमानतळावर" (in Marathi). Lokmat. 14 February 2025.
- ^ "Tragic Road Accident Claims Former MLA's Life in Akola | Law-Order". Devdiscourse. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
- ^ "NCP Leader Tukaram Bidkar Killed In Road Accident In Maharashtra's Akola". ABP News. 13 February 2025.
- ^ "तुकारम बिडकर यांच्या पीएची हत्या, संधी मिळताच काढला काटा" (in Marathi). Divya Marathi. 10 November 2013.
- ^ Awari, Anjali (4 April 2022). "अ.भा. महात्मा फुले समता परिषदेच्या कार्यकारिणीत मोठे फेरबदल – प्रदेश उपाध्यक्षपदी प्रा. तुकाराम बिडकर यांची वर्णी !" (in Marathi).
- ^ Kharade, Prathamesh (14 February 2025). "Tukaram Bidkar Accident Video: Ex-NCP MLA Among 2 Killed After Speeding Pickup Truck Hits Bike In Maharashtra's Akola". The Free Press Journal.