<p>Karnataka Cooperation and Sugar Minister H S Mahadev Prasad died of a massive heart attack at a private resort in Koppa in Chikkamagaluru district today.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Prasad (58) is survived by wife and a son.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />He was in Koppa to attend an official function, official sources said.<br />He had undergone bypass surgery few years ago.<br /><br />Prasad, who represented Gundlupete constituency in Chamarajanagar district, was a close associate of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.<br /><br />Calling Prasad's death as unexpected and shocking, Siddaramaiah said he was one among his closest.<br /><br />"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.<br />State government has declared one-day government holiday today and announced three days state mourning.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Prasad's son Ganesh said that the body will be taken to Gundlupete by evening and last rites will be performed tomorrow.<br /></p>
<p>Karnataka Cooperation and Sugar Minister H S Mahadev Prasad died of a massive heart attack at a private resort in Koppa in Chikkamagaluru district today.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Prasad (58) is survived by wife and a son.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />He was in Koppa to attend an official function, official sources said.<br />He had undergone bypass surgery few years ago.<br /><br />Prasad, who represented Gundlupete constituency in Chamarajanagar district, was a close associate of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.<br /><br />Calling Prasad's death as unexpected and shocking, Siddaramaiah said he was one among his closest.<br /><br />"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.<br />State government has declared one-day government holiday today and announced three days state mourning.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Prasad's son Ganesh said that the body will be taken to Gundlupete by evening and last rites will be performed tomorrow.<br /></p>