In Bengaluru, the demise of V Sreenivasa Prasad, a former Union Minister and BJP MP representing Chamarajanagar in Karnataka, occurred at the age of 76 at a private medical facility, as per sources close to his family. Prasad, survived by his wife and three daughters, boasted a multifaceted political journey that spanned nearly half a century, affiliating with various political entities such as the Congress and the BJP. Holding the Chamarajanagar MP seat six times and serving twice as MLA for Nanjangud in Mysuru district, Prasad had been ailing for a considerable period.
Offering condolences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Prasad as a stalwart advocate for social equity, dedicating his life to uplifting the impoverished, oppressed, and marginalized. Modi expressed deep sorrow over Prasad’s passing, underscoring his commitment to the welfare of society’s underprivileged segments.
March 18 saw Prasad’s announcement of his withdrawal from electoral engagements, marking the conclusion of nearly five decades in the public domain. Commencing his political voyage with the Janata Party in 1976, Prasad traversed through various political landscapes, including stints with the Congress, JD(S), JD(U), and the Samata Party before aligning with the BJP.
Prasad’s tenure as Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee administration from 1999 to 2004 highlighted his contributions to governance. Subsequently, he re-entered the Congress fold, securing an MLA position in 2013 and assuming the mantle of Revenue and Religious Endowment Minister in the Siddaramaiah-led government.
The year 2016 witnessed Prasad’s resignation from the Karnataka Assembly, followed by a rejoining of the BJP ranks. Despite a setback in the 2017 Nanjangud bypolls under the BJP banner, Prasad successfully contested the Chamarajanagar Lok Sabha election in 2019, marking another chapter in his political journey.