BJP MP and Dalit leader Srinivas Prasad passes away

Bharatiya Janata Party MP and former Union Minister V. Srinivas Prasad, 76, who was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bengaluru, passed away in the wee hours of Monday. The influential Dalit leader represented Chamarajanagar Lok Sabha constituency six times and Nanjangud Assembly segment twice.

He is survived by his wife Bhagyalakshmi and three daughters.

Mr. Prasad, who was ailing for some time, had announced his retirement from politics in March, marking an end to his 50 years in public life.

The last rites of the departed leader will be performed as per Buddhist rituals at B.R. Ambedkar Educational and Cultural Trust on Mananthavadi Road in Mysuru Tuesday. A follower of B.R. Ambedkar’s ideals, Mr. Prasad had converted to Buddhism.