BENGALURU: Former excise minister and senior Congress leader H.Y. Meti, who was a sitting MLA from Bagalkot, passed away at the age of 79. He is survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters. A seasoned politician, Meti was elected to the Karnataka Assembly five times and also served as a Lok Sabha member once. Known for his long innings in public life, he played a key role in the political landscape of North Karnataka. Meti, however, came into controversy in 2016 when a sex tape allegedly involving him was leaked, leading to his resignation from the cabinet during chief minister Siddaramaiah’s first term.Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah expressed deep grief stated, “The news of the passing of former Minister, senior leader from the North Karnataka region, and current MLA H.Y. Meti has left me deeply saddened. Just last Thursday, I had visited the hospital and inquired about his health. At that time, I held the firm hope that he would recover and once again embrace us all. Alas, both my hope and my prayers have proven false.”“Meti, who spent much of his long life in public service, was a dedicated leader who cared only for the welfare of the people and the development of his constituency. His demise has left our society poorer. May the departed soul find eternal peace. I pray that the family and admirers of Meti find the strength to bear this sorrow” he added.