Bangalore, July 7: The former Minister S. Ramesh (52) passed away in a private hospital here in the early hours of today following respiratory complications and heart ailment.
He leaves behind wife, one son and a daughter. The last rites will be performed at Harishchandra Ghat here this evening.
Ramesh, born in Mysore in 1954, was the Minister of Kannada and Culture when S. Bangarappa was the Chief Minister and later Minister for Land Army in Veerappa Moily's Cabinet. Ramesh was also a film producer.
As a labour leader, he was the Chairman of Karnataka Slum Clearance Board. As recently as in 2004, Ramesh contested Assembly elections unsuccessfully from the K.R. Constituency in Mysore.