Bengaluru: Ka Pu Siddalingaswamy, Karanatka BJP leader and a close confidant of former Chief Minister B S Yeddiyurappa, died at the age of 58 at a private hospital in Mysuru on Thursday morning after battling a liver infection for several weeks.

Siddalingaswamy, who previously served as the personal assistant to former CM Yeddiyurappa during his tenure, had been hospitalised for treatment. Yeddiyurappa himself visited Siddalingaswamy at the hospital on Sunday. He had also served as Chairperson of Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation during the previous BJP-led state government.

A prominent figure within the Lingayat community and with significant influence in the Varuna constituency, Siddalingaswamy contested the 2013 legislative assembly election as a KJP candidate against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, but was defeated by a margin of 29,641 votes.

Siddalingaswamy, who remained unmarried, is survived by his brother, former Mysuru ZP President Ka Pu Siddaveerappa.

The public can pay their respects to Siddalingaswamy at his residence in JP Nagar, Mysuru, until 10:30 am. His mortal remains will then be taken to his native village of Karya in Nanjangud taluk for public viewing, followed by the final rites according to the customs of the Lingayat community, scheduled for 4 pm.