Congress supporter dies at Karnataka CM's oath-taking

A 50-year-old Congress supporter died Monday following cardiac arrest soon after Karnataka's new Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took oath at a public venue in the city centre, police said.

"The victim, Manjappa, a security guard, was taken to a nearby private hospital after he collapsed outside the venue (Kanteerva stadium) and was pronounced dead by doctors as he suffered a massive heart attack," a senior police official told IANS here.

According to his family sources, Manjappa went to the stadium to witness the swearing-in ceremony after working on double shifts since Sunday without rest at an upscale housing complex in the city's northeast suburb Whitefield.

"We tried to revive his heart but failed as he had a sudden cardiac arrest due to high blood pressure. We learnt from his family members later that he was also diabetic with bouts of high blood sugar," a hospital spokesman said.

The tragic incident came to light amidst chaotic scenes at the stadium, where over 50,000 people gathered to witness the oath-taking ceremony and vehicular traffic came to standstill as all roads around the venue were blocked for the exit of Governor H.R. Bhardwaj, followed by Siddaramaiah and other dignitaries.

On learning about Manjappa's death, Siddaramaiah rushed to the hospital from Vidhana Soudha, the state secretariat, to meet the bereaved family and announced Rs.2 lakh ex-gratia from the chief minister's relief fund as compensation.

"It is unfortunate and sad that one of our party's admirers died soon after the ceremony. I express my heartfelt condolences to the family and offer to extend any help," Siddaramaiah told reporters.