A senior minister in the BJP government in Karnataka,V S Acharya,died after a massive heart attack at a public function here on Tuesday. He was 72.
Acharya was one of the least controversial in the first BJP government in southern India. Held in high regard by all,he was a sort of conscience-keeper to BJP leaders over the last four years of the governments tenure.
A doctor by profession,Acharya was from Karnatakas Udupi region and was considered very close to former CM B S Yeddyurappa,current CM D V Sadananda Gowda and the RSS. He was considered to be among the few leaders loyal to the BJP cause rather than personal positions or affiliations.
He was the home minister for a while under BSY,and was moved out after he started developing health problems. He held the higher education,IT,biotechnology,planning,statistics and muzrai department portfolios.