Senior Congress leader and AICC secretary Suraj Hegde died late Sunday night in Bengaluru after suffering a cardiac arrest, party sources confirmed on Monday. He was approximately 55 years old.
Condolences from Top Leaders
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar expressed deep grief, calling Hegde's passing a personal and organisational loss for the Congress party. In a post on X, Shivakumar stated, 'I am deeply shocked to learn of the sudden demise of my dear colleague Suraj Hegde, who served as AICC functionary, KPCC Vice-President, and Vice-Chairman of the State Guarantee Committee.' He praised Hegde's organisational abilities and commitment to public welfare, adding, 'Today, we have lost an active leader who always maintained an excellent rapport with party workers.'
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also mourned Hegde's death, highlighting his unwavering belief in the Congress party's ideals. 'As AICC Secretary and Former In-charge of the Indian Youth Congress, he worked with a deep belief in the party's ideals. The Youth Congress was not just an assignment for him. He mentored young Indians who today carry forward the Congress's commitment to justice and democracy,' Gandhi wrote on X. He termed the loss irreparable and extended condolences to Hegde's family and colleagues.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge described Hegde as 'a young and promising leader who served the party with dedication as an AICC Secretary.' Kharge recalled, 'Suraj was very close to my family, and I have known him since his teenage years. Watching him grow into a committed leader, deeply devoted to the organisation was truly heartening. He made immense contributions to the Youth Congress, while carrying forward the rich legacy and values of Devaraj Urs with sincerity and commitment.'
Hegde's Role and Legacy
Hegde served as vice chairman of the Karnataka government's Guarantee Committee and was a prominent Congress functionary. He had earlier been national in-charge of the Indian Youth Congress and was the grandson of former Karnataka chief minister Devaraj Urs. State Congress working president BK Hariprasad noted that Hegde devoted his life to the welfare of backward classes, Dalits, and marginalised communities, embodying the ideals of equality and social justice. 'Always committed to public service. He played a significant role in ensuring that the guarantee schemes reached the people,' Hariprasad said, calling Hegde's death a major loss for both Karnataka and the Congress party.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said Hegde's passing was a great loss to the Congress family. 'He worked tirelessly to strengthen the organisation and mentor young leaders. We will all remember him with affection, respect and gratitude,' she stated. Former chief minister Siddaramaiah, AICC general secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, along with several Karnataka ministers and senior Congress leaders at state and national levels, also condoled Hegde's death.
