Shivamogga: The Statewide protest held by the BJP yesterday against the hike in fuel prices announced by the State Government, turned out to be a tragic one for the party at Shivamogga, as senior party leader and former MLC M.B. Bhanuprakash (69) died of a massive heart attack even as the protest was on.

Bhanuprakash had just addressed the protesting BJP workers, when he felt severe uneasiness. He was rushed to a nearby hospital in a car, where he was declared brought dead.

Bhanuprakash had served as the State BJP Vice-President in 2019. Coming from a strong RSS background, he had unsuccessfully contested on a BJP ticket against former Chief Minister S. Bangarappa in the 2004 LS polls from Shivamogga seat when the latter chose to contest on a Samajawadi Party (SP) ticket after quitting the BJP.