Senior Karnataka Congress leader and former minister Veeranna S Koujalagi died after a brief illness at a private hospital here today, his family said.
Koujalagi (77) is survived by his wife, a son and three daughters.
Since entering politics in 1971, Koujalagi had contested from Araabhavi constituency in the district and was elected seven times.
Koujalagi held many ministerial posts such as Small Scale Industry and Agriculture and Processing in different Congress ministries including those led by Devaraj Urs and S M Krishna.
He was also the Speaker of Karnataka legislative Assembly and KPCC chief.
Karnataka ministers H K Patil and Satish Jarkiholi, Chikkodi MP Prakash Hukkeri and state Janatha Dal (U) President M P Nadagouda paid their last respects.
