BJP leader and former MLC M B Bhanuprakash died of cardiac arrest here on Monday during a protest organised by his party against the hike in petrol and diesel prices in Karnataka.

Bhanuprakash (69), who had earlier served as the party's state vice-president and district president, led the protest here and addressed the workers.

"He collapsed after suffering cardiac arrest while getting into his car," a police source said. "He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but could not be saved."

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