Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Jun 8: AICC secretary and Karnataka government's Guarantee Committee Vice-Chairman Suraj Hegde passed away late on Sunday night following a cardiac arrest, Congress sources said. He was around 55 years old.
According to reports, Hegde suffered a cardiac arrest and breathed his last at a private hospital. A former in-charge of the Indian Youth Congress, he was also the grandson of former Karnataka Chief Minister Devaraj Urs.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president D K Shivakumar expressed shock over Hegde's sudden demise.
"I am deeply shocked to learn of the sudden demise of my dear colleague Suraj Hegde, who served as AICC functionary, KPCC vice-president and vice-chairman of the State Guarantee Committee," Shivakumar said in a post on social media.
He described Hegde as a leader who played a vital role in strengthening the Congress organisation and maintained close ties with party workers.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also condoled Hegde's death, recalling his contribution to the party and the Indian Youth Congress.
"As AICC Secretary and former in-charge of the Indian Youth Congress, he worked with a deep belief in the party's ideals. He mentored young Indians who today carry forward the Congress's commitment to justice and democracy," Gandhi said.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge termed Hegde's demise an irreparable loss to the party and remembered him as a dedicated and promising leader.
Kharge said Hegde was close to his family and had grown into a committed leader who made significant contributions to the Youth Congress while carrying forward the legacy and values of Devaraj Urs.
KPCC president B K Hariprasad said Hegde devoted his life to the welfare of backward communities, Dalits and other marginalised sections of society.
He noted that Hegde played a key role in ensuring that the Karnataka government's guarantee schemes reached people across the state and described his death as a major loss to both Karnataka and the Congress party.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also paid tribute, stating that Hegde worked tirelessly to strengthen the organisation and mentor young leaders.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, AICC general secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, along with several ministers and party leaders at the state and national levels, also expressed condolences over Hegde's passing.
Hegde's death has been widely mourned within Congress circles, with leaders remembering him as a committed organiser, mentor and advocate of social justice.