Karnataka Minister Umesh Katti dies of heart attack; holiday declared for schools, colleges in Bagewadi Belagavi

Karnataka Minister Umesh Katti Dead, Death News: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Karnataka Minister Umesh Katti passed away on Tuesday night following a cardiac arrest, news agency ANI reported. Umesh Katti was the Minister for Forest, Food & Civil Supplies. 

Umesh Katti, who dreamt of statehood for north Karnataka, was rushed to Ramaiah hospital in Bengaluru after collapsing at his Dollars Colony residence. He, however, couldn't be saved.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai expressed grief over the demise of Umesh Katti, calling it a 'huge loss for the state'. He said that Umesh Katti's death has left a huge vacuum that is very difficult to fill up.

"I have lost a very close friend of mine. he was a brother to me. He had some heart issues but we never thought he'll pass away so soon. He has done a lot of work for the state. He handled several portfolios efficiently. It is a huge loss for the state," Bommai told news agency ANI.

Umesh Katti's last rites will be performed with state honours at Bagewadi Belagavi.

Meanwhile, CM Bommai has said that a holiday has been declared for schools and colleges in Belagavi.