Former Karnataka deputy chief minister M.P. Prakash died at a private hospital here on Wednesday after a prolonged battle with cancer.
71-year-old Prakash was a writer, theatre personality and social activist, besides being a prominent face of Karnataka politics since the 1980s.
He is survived by wife, a son and three daughters.
Mr Prakash, who was suffering from intestine cancer for the past two-and-a-half years was admitted to Manipal Hospital on February, 6 with liver infection.
He developed breathlessness on Tuesday and also showed symptoms of pneumonia. He was shifted to the ICU where he died of multi-organ failure today, the hospital chief operating officer, Nagendra Swamy told PTI.
A prominent Lingayat community leader, Mr Prakash had also authored many books. He was a five-time MLA and had acted in a movie, directed many plays and acted in many more.
In his chequered political career, he was groomed by veteran politician and former chief minister, late Ramakrishna Hegde and was state Janata Dal president. He was also in former Prime Minister Deve Gowda led JDS before joining Congress.
The funeral will take place in his home district of Bellary.
Chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has mourned his death and offered condolences to his family. He announced that all schools and colleges in Bellary district would remain closed on Thursday as a mark of respect to the departed leader.