Mysuru/UNI: Former MP and Karnataka Congress working president R Dhruvanarayana passed away early on Saturday morning after suffering from chest pain.

Aged 61, Dhruvanarayana was brought to DRMS Hospital after complaining of chest pain at around 6.40 am by his driver. However, he did not survive.

"R Dhruvanarayana passed away. He suffered chest pain and his driver picked him up at 6.40 am. But he didn't survive," Dr Manjunath told a section of the media here.

Further details are awaited. However, condolence messages started to pour in on social media.

Taking to Twitter, Karnataka Chief Minister said, "The death of Mr. Dhruvanarayan, who was a former MP and the working president of KPCC, is very sad. May his soul rest in peace and may God give strength to his fans and family to bear this grief. Om Shanti."

Former Prime Minister HD Kumaraswamy said he is deeply shocked and saddened over Dhruvanarayan's death. His departure is an irreparable loss to state politics, he added.

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "Saddened by the sudden demise of former MP, Shri R Dhruvanarayan. A hard-working & humble grassroots leader, he was a champion of social justice who rose through the ranks of NSUI & Youth Congress. His passing is a huge loss to the Congress party. My condolences to his family."

KC Venugopal, another Congress leader, said: "Shocked at the passing away of KPCC Working Pres. R. Dhruvanarayana ji. He will be remembered for his commitment to the Congress through thick and thin, and his illustrious tenure in Parliament."

Paying condolences to his family and well wishers in this time of grief, Venugopal said Dhruvanarayan always stood with the common people and dedicated his life to the service of the poor and downtrodden.

"He (Dhruvanarayan) was a reliable and hard working colleague, and his painful departure has left a void that will be difficult to fill," the Congress leader said.