Hassan: Senior Congress leader from Hassan and former MLC S.M. Anand (72), passed away at a private Hospital in Bengaluru early on Sunday morning following brief illness.

He leaves behind his wife and two daughters. 

An advocate by profession, Anand joined Congress party over three decades ago and served as an MLC from 2004 to 2010. He contested the Lok Sabha polls from Hassan Constituency in 1996 and lost. He had also served as Chairman of Hassan Development Authority, Chairman of  Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Corporation, Hassan District Congress President and KPCC General Secretary. 

Last rites were performed at his farmland at Bittagowdanahalli near Hassan yesterday evening.