Belagavi: Former Minister and veteran politician Shivanand  H. Koujalagi (87) passed away at his residence in Bailhongal in Belagavi this morning.

He is survived by his wife, two sons — Congress MLA Mahantesh Koujalagi and Congress leader Basavaraj Koujalagi — and a host of relatives and friends. He had served as MLA from Bailhongal for three terms, Public Works Department (PWD) Minister in H.D. Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal  Government and as Member of Parliament (MP) from the Belagavi Lok Sabha Constituency in 1996. He had also served as the President of the KLE Society and was a recipient of the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award.

Last rites will be held tomorrow (Oct. 31) at 11 am in Bailhongal, sources said.