Senior BJP leader and Minister for Higher Education, Karnataka Dr. VS Acharya passed away today. He collapsed from the dais, following a heart attack while participating in a programme in Bangalore. He was rushed to the Mallige Hospital but was declared dead on the way.

Dr. Acharya was first elected Municipal Councillor, and later President of Udupi Municipal Council in 1968. His winning the election was the first ever win by the Jan Sangh in an elected body in South India. Dr. Acharya was one of the first MLAs of Karnataka and was responsible for the entry of Jan Sangh in Karnataka Assembly. During the time of emergency, he was in prison with Advani.

Earlier Dr. Acharya served as Minister of Medical Education and Animal Husbandry in the coalition government of BJP- JDS. He is a native of Udupi and a physician by profession.

Source: http://indiawires.com/7781/news/state-news/karnataka-minister-vs-acharya...