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Dr V.S. Acharya, Karnataka Higher Education Minister, died here on Tuesday morning.
Dr Acharya, 72, collapsed while attending a seminar, organised by the Karnataka State Government College Principals Forum, and was rushed to a private hospital, where he was declared dead. He was keeping indifferent health in recent times. He is survived by wife, four sons and a daughter.
A registered medical practitioner, Dr Acharya was born on July 6, 1939, and started his political career in the erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh and was President of Udupi City Municipality from 1968 to 1976. He also represented Udupi constituency in the State Assembly.
The Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr D.V. Sadananda Gowda, describing Dr V.S. Acharya as his ‘political guru', while paying rich tributes to the late senior Minister.
Overcome with emotions and fighting back tears, Mr Gowda termed Dr Acharya as a statesman, a man of integrity and a party loyalist. “He did not had a single black-mark in politics”, said the Chief Minister, his voice chocking. “He was duty-conscious till the last minute”.
“He is my political guru”, Mr Gowda said, adding Dr Acharya's guidance was responsible for his rise in politics and elevating him to this position (Chief Ministership) today.
The Chief Minister was so emotional after paying his last respects to Dr Acharya in hospital that he remarked: “He is no more with us today. But somehow, he (Acharya) will continue to guide us....I don't know in which form or through whom....otherwise politics in Karnataka will not emerge in a good way.”
Mr Gowda who is preparing to present his first ever budget next month, recalled that Dr Acharya had promised him to help in drafting a “good budget” devoting at least 10 days time for the exercise.
Mr Gowda hailed Dr Acharya, who also held the portfolios of Planning and Statistics, Muzrai and Information Technology and Biotechnology, for his in-depth knowledge of various issues and topics.
As a mark of respect, the Karnataka Government has declared a three-day State mourning.
In Delhi, the External Affairs Minister, Mr S.M. Krishna, recalled that during his tenure as Chief Minister, the Treasury benches used to listen to Dr Acharya's suggestions seriously during House proceedings.
The BJP leader, Mr L.K. Advani, in his condolence message, said Dr Acharya played an important role in Jan Sangh capturing power in Udupi municipal elections in the 1960s.
“Udupi was the place where Jan Sangh registered its first victory in any municipal election in South India. Dr Acharya played a very important role in it,” he said.
The BJP General Secretary, Mr Ananth Kumar, the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister, Mr Jagadish Shettar, the Home Minister, Mr R. Ashok, the Karnataka Opposition Leader in Assembly, Mr Siddaramaiah, have all condoled Dr Acharya death.
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