Higher education minister Dr VS Acharya died of a massive heart attack after collapsing at a function here on Tuesday.
Higher education minister Dr Vedavyas Srinivas Acharya died of a massive heart attack after collapsing at a function here on Tuesday.
Acharya had arrived about an hour late, at 11.30 am, to take part in the conference of Karnataka State Government College Principals’ forum on ‘Constructive Policies under 11th five-year plan’ at Government Science College. While hurrying to climb the stairs to reach the dais, he fainted and collapsed. He was rushed to Mallige Hospital, but was declared dead within minutes of arrival.
Chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda, his ministerial colleagues Govind Karjol, Suresh Kumar, Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri and others rushed to the hospital. The chief minister was inconsolable; he sobbed when the death of Dr Acharya was announced.
“Acharya was my political guru. He was a leader without a blot in his long political career. He was in a way responsible for me becoming the chief minister. He was like a god in BJP,” said Gowda.
His health was deteriorating
A week ago also, Acharya had fainted in the legislative council while replying to a question.
A diabetic, Acharya’s health was showing signs of deterioration of late and he had even requested the chief minister to relieve him from his ministerial responsibilities. But nobody had imagined that fate would snatch him away from all his responsibilities so soon.
Long service, spotless record
Known for his honesty, integrity and commitment to party’s ideology and principles, Acharya was part of all the BJP’s manifesto drafting committees for the past 40 years.
He drew national attention when he led the party to victory in the Udupi municipality elections in 1968 and became the youngest municipal president of Udupi at 28 years.
He was regarded as ajatashatru, a man who had no enemies, by even his political rivals.
He was elected to Karnataka legislative assembly for the first time in 1983. He held key portfolios including home, higher education, health, education, muzrai, IT & BT, statistics and planning in HD Kumaraswamy, BS Yeddyurappa and DV Sadananda Gowda cabinets.
He was jailed for 18 months during the 1975-77 Emergency imposed by the then prime minister Indira Gandhi.
After his demise, his body was kept at his official residence for the people to pay their homage. Later, the body was taken to Udupi for final rites.
The 72-year-old doctor from Udupi is survived by his wife, four sons and a daughter.
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