Karnataka’s Co-operative Minister HS Mahadeva Prasad passed away on Tuesday morning in a resort in Chikkamaglur.
The 58-year-old minister, who was a close aide to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, reportedly suffered a heart attack while at Serai resort in Chikkamaglur. He was found lying on the floor in his room.
According to reports, the minister's officials used a spare key to open the door, after the minister failed to respond to their repeated calls at around 8:30 am. The doctors have reportedly confirmed that the minister breathed his last at around 6 am.
His funeral will be held at Halahalli village in Gundlupet, his constituency. Holiday has been declared in the state today. CM has also declared three days of mourning in the state.
He was a five-time MLA from Guldalpet who joined Congress along with Siddaramaiah. Mahadeva Prasad, who was on an official tour, was to visit Koppal on Tuesday.
Speaking to The News Minute, Prasad's PA Umesh said, "His gunmen had tried to call him on the phone in the morning. They called him repeatedly and when he did not answer, they panicked and broke open the door."
He also said that three months ago he had complained of chest pain and underwent an angioplasty at Bengaluru's Jayadeva Hospital. Ten years ago, Prasad had also undergone a heart surgery.
Prasad was the Minister of Food and Civil Supplies when he was with the Janata Dal (Secular) under Dharam Singh’s government in 2004. Prasad broke away from JD(S) after Kumaraswamy joined hands with the Yeddyurappa-led BJP government in 2006. He then joined the Congress in 2008.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tweeted condolences to Mahadev Prasad's family. Saying that the minister was "not just his colleague", but a dear friend, CM said:
“The untimely death of Cooperation and Sugar Minister HS Mahadev Prasad has caused me great distress. I share his family's grief.”
ಮಹದೇವ ಪ್ರಸಾದ್ ನನ್ನ ಸಹೋದ್ಯೋಗಿ ಮಾತ್ರ ಆಗಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ, ನನ್ನೆಲ್ಲ ಕಷ್ಟ-ಸುಖಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದ ಆತ್ಮೀಯ ಸ್ನೇಹಿತರಾಗಿದ್ದರು. ಅವರ ಅಗಲಿಕೆಯ ನೋವು ಅಸಹನೀಯವಾದುದು. pic.twitter.com/aPv8LYihAt
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) January 3, 2017
The CM also said he carried out all ministerial and party work responsibly. He was a disciplined minister and had no black marks in his career. He was one of the ministers who survived the cabinet reshuffle in June last year.
Speaking in praise of Prasad, Siddaramaiah said, "He was an honest man. We have lost a model minister and I have lost a good friend. This is a huge loss for the party."
He also added that they had celebrated New Year's together. The CM said an emergency cabinet meeting will be held today to discuss who will take up his portfolio.
BJP State President BS Yeddyurappa took to Twitter to condole the death of the minister.
"Shocked to hear the demise of Cooperation Minister,Govt of Karnataka Sh.H.S.Mahadeva Prasad. Condolences to the family of Sh.Mahadeva Prasad," he wrote.
Shocked to hear the demise of Cooperation Minister,Govt of Karnataka Sh.H.S.Mahadeva Prasad.Condolences to the family of Sh.Mahadeva Prasad.
— B.S. Yeddyurappa (@BSYBJP) January 3, 2017
Prasad's son was accused of carrying out granite quarrying operations in government-owned land in Chamarajanagar district. Following this, the BJP had in 2016 demanded that the Congress government sack Mahadeva Prasad. Prasad was also accused of hiding details of owning 3.2 acres of land in Gundlupet while filing his nomination papers.