PANAJI: Former Pernem MLA Jitendra Deshprabhu passed away after a brief illness at the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Bambolim on Tuesday. He was 64. Deshprabhu was admitted to the GMC after he was diagnosed with pneumonia. He was put on ventilator and he tested negative for COVID-19, informed GMC sources. Deshprabhu was elected as MLA from Pernem Assembly constituency on Congress ticket twice in 1999 and 2002. He had also unsuccessfully contested Lok Sabha elections from North Goa Parliamentary constituency on NCP symbol in 2009. Deshprabhu occupied various positions in the Congress Party and was also the spokesman of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) from 1999 and 2002 and CLP whip from 2002-2007. He was also the member of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Board and Member of Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education from 1999-2002. He was also the president of Pernem Municipal Council in 1989 and vice president of Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). A two-time MLA, Deshprabhu was fondly referred to as 'Viscount of Pernem' by his constituents. The Deshprabhu family was granted the prestigious title of 'Visconde de Pernem' (Viscount of Pernem) by the Portuguese regime. He is survived by his wife, daughter and a son. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Leader of the Opposition Digambar Kamat and other prominent leaders condoled the death of Deshprabhu. Taking to twitter, Sawant wrote, "Shocked to learn about the untimely demise of former legislator Jitendra Deshprabhu. My deepest condolences and sympathies are with his family in this hour of grief." In his condolence message, Kamat said, "I am deeply shocked to hear about passing away of my friend and former Congress MLA Jitendra Deshprabhu. He was a studious legislator and excellent orator. He was a staunch Congressman and he and his family have immensely contributed for the Congress party. His passing away is a great loss to the Congress Party. His sudden demise has come as a shock to everyone. Goa will miss a firebrand studious leader. My condolences are with his family. May his soul rest in peace." Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Girish Chodankar said, "We deeply morun the sudden demise of our leader and former MLA Jitendra Deshprabhu. He was a staunch Congressman and a firebrand political leader of Goa. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, may God give them the strength to face this tragedy. May his soul rest in peace." Former Chief Minister and Ponda MLA Ravi Naik has also condoled the death of Deshprabhu. Ravi said that Deshprabhu started his political career as a Youth Congress member and held various positions in the Congress Party organisation and as member of many committees of Goa Legislative Assembly. He was a studious legislator and an orator.