Former Chief Minister of Karnataka S.Bangarappa passed away early this morning in Bangalore after a prolonged illness. He was 79.

Suffering from kidney ailment, he was admitted to a private hospital on the 8th of this month and was under coma for a couple of days. Veteran politician Bangarappa served as Chief Minister in 1991-92 and played crucial role in state politics.

Sources said that his mortal remains will be kept in Bangalore till evening and taken to his village in Soraba taluk later for the last rites to be performed tomorrow.

Several leaders including External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, Union Law and Justice Minister Salman Khurshid former, former Prime Minister Deve Gowda, State Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda and others paid tributes to the departed leader.

The State Government has announced three days' mourning and declared holiday today as a mark of respect to the departed soul.