AICC secretary and vice-chairman of the Karnataka government’s Assurance Committee Suraj Hegde died late last night, party sources said on Monday.
The sources said that the deceased was about 55 years old and died in a private hospital here due to a heart attack.
Hegde, a former in-charge of the Indian Youth Congress, was the grandson of former Prime Minister Devaraj Urs.
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar condoles Hegde’s death.
“I was deeply shocked to learn about the sudden demise of my dear colleague Suraj Hegde, who served as AICC Officer, Vice-Chairman of KPCC, and Vice-Chairman of State Assurance Commission,” Shivakumar posted on ‘X’.
His contribution in strengthening the Congress party through organizational acumen and public interest was unparalleled, he said, adding: “Today, we have lost an energetic leader who always maintained an excellent relationship with party workers.”
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State Congress president BK Hariprasad said Hegde dedicated his entire life to the upliftment of backward communities, Dalits and other marginalized sections of society. In a real sense, he was a true inheritor of the legacy of equality and social justice championed by Devaraj Urs.
“He was always committed to public service. He played an important role in ensuring that the security schemes reached the people,” he said, describing Hegde’s death as a great loss to the state and the Congress party.
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Former CM Siddaramaiah also offered condolences on Hegde’s death.
