Bengaluru: Former Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh passed away at M.S. Ramaiah Hospital here this morning following a massive heart attack. He was 80.

His body was shifted to his Sadashivanagar residence where politicians, irrespective of party cadre, paid their last respects. Sources, said that Singh’s body will taken to Bidar on a special flight and later to Kalaburagi by road where last rites will be held tomorrow with State honours.  

Following his death, the State Government announced holiday to all government offices and educational institutions today apart from announcing three-day mourning in the State.

Dharam Singh was the 17th CM of Karnataka who headed the Congress-JD(S) coalition government from May 28, 2004 to Feb. 3, 2006.

Born on Dec. 25, 1936 at Nelogi village in Jewargi Taluk of Kalaburagi district, Singh was elected as an MLA from Jewargi for seven consecutive times between 1978 and 2008. He was also elected to Lok Sabha from Bidar constituency in 2009.