HS Mahadeva Prasad dead at 58: Karnataka minister succumbs to massive heart attack

Karnataka Cooperation and Sugar Minister H S Mahadev Prasad died of a massive heart attack at a private resort in Koppa in Chikkamagaluru district on Tuesday. The 58-year-old minister is survived by his wife and a son.Local Congress leaders said as their repeated attempts to reach the Minister over phone and by knocking the door failed, his room was opened using a spare key and the body was found on a bed. He was in Koppa to attend an official function, official sources said.He had undergone bypass surgery few years ago. Prasad, who represented Gundlupete constituency in Chamarajanagar district, was a close associate of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Calling Prasad's death as unexpected and shocking, Siddaramaiah said he was one among his closest."It is a huge personal loss to me and to Congress party. He was an able administrator and a clean politician. I have lost a close friend and a wonderful colleague," he said. State government has declared one-day government holiday today and announced three days state mourning.Prasad was a minister in the JD(S)-BJP coalition government headed by H D Kumaraswamy during 2005-07 and quit JDS and joined the Congress. Prasad's son Ganesh said that the body will be taken to Gundlupete by evening and last rites will be performed on Wednesday.Former Chief Minister of Karnataka BS Yedyurappa expressed shock at Mahadeva's death:With inputs from agencies