Former MLC and KPCC SC Wing President N. Manjunath (54) passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru yesterday. He leaves behind his wife Asha Manjunath, son Praful Kumar and a host of relatives and friends.

He was the son of former Minister late T.N. Narasimhamurthy (TNN), who was associated with the Congress party for decades.

Leaders of various political parties paid their last respects to the departed leader at T.N.N. Adarsha Vidyarthi Nilaya in Rajendra Nagar in city where his body was kept for public viewing.

Family sources said that the last rites would be held at around 4 pm today at the hostel premises in city.

Manjunath was rushed to Fortis Hospital in Bengaluru on Feb. 17 after he complained of respiratory problems while returning to Bengaluru from Kolar after attending a programme. Later he was shifted to Manipal Hospital, where he underwent an open heart surgery.

As his health condition did not improve, he was again shifted to Narayana Hrudayalaya in Bengaluru where he breathed his last at about 6.25 pm yesterday.

Manjunath, who was elected to the Legislative Council from Mysuru-Chamarajanagar local bodies seat about 9 years ago, was also the President of T.N.N. Adarsha Vidyarthi Nilaya.

A native of T. Narasipur taluk, Manjunath grew up in politics under his father TNN.

Condolence meet

The meeting called by City and District Congress Committees at the Town Hall in city this morning to discuss strategies for Nanjangud by-poll turned out to be a condolence meeting following the demise of former MLC N. Manjunath. The leaders offered floral tributes to the portrait of Manjunath and lauded the works of the leader as a Congress party leader and as an MLC.