BJP MLC and former Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Council Vimala Gowda (65), passed away at a private Hospital in Bengaluru on Monday following a heart attack.

She is survived by her husband and two sons. A long time associate of the BJP, Vimala was a three time MLC and had one year of her term left.

She was the Deputy Chairperson of the Council from   2011 to 2014.

Vimala, who first tested political waters by unsuccessfully contesting the Bengaluru Corporator election in 1983, also contested the 1994 Assembly Polls.

She held various posts in the BJP and  headed the Mahila Morcha Wing of the party.

Her last rites will be held at Wilson Garden crematorium on Wednesday afternoon, according to family sources.