Bangalore: Former Member of Parliament Prof. K Venkatagiri Gowda passed away today (July 5, 2004) in a private hospital following a cardiac arrest, family sources said. He was 83.

Gowda, a prominent leader of the dominant Vokkaliga community in Karnataka, had represented Bangalore South parliamentary constituency after winning the 1991 elections on a BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) ticket.

Gowda later joined the Congress. He had penned a book levelling various charges against H D Deve Gowda when he was the Prime Minister. He is survived by wife.