Bengaluru: Rajya Sabha MP and veteran Congress leader Oscar Fernandes (80) passed away due to an age-related illness at a hospital in Mangaluru on Monday.

The former Union Minister had undergone surgery to remove a clot in his brain. Fernandes was admitted to the hospital in Bengaluru after he suffered a head injury due to a fall when practising Yoga at his home in July this year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of the veteran Congress leader. "Saddened by the demise of Rajya Sabha MP Shri Oscar Fernandes Ji. In this sad hour, my thoughts and prayers are with his family and well-wishers. May his soul rest in peace," he said in tweet.

Congress party on its official Twitter handle posted a condolence message. "We are deeply saddened by the demise of Shri Oscar Fernandes ji, our heartfelt condolences to his family. A Congress stalwart, his vision for an inclusive India had a huge influence on the politics of our times. The Congress family will deeply miss his mentorship & guidance."

In a political career spanning over four decades, Oscar Fernandes was five-time Lok Sabha MP, two-time Rajya Sabha MP and in Karnataka, served as the KPCC president for two terms. Also, served as Parliamentary Secretary to Rajiv Gandhi.

Fernandes was the Union Cabinet Minister for Transport, Road and Highways and Labour and Employment in UPA government. He is one of the closest confidants of the present Congress President Rahul Gandhi and one of the major leaders in the taking of important decisions of the Congress Party. 

He was a Union Minister from 2004 to 2009, holding a number of portfolios such as Statistics and Programme Implementation, NRI Affairs, Youth and Sports Affairs and Labour and Employment. Also, served two terms as a member of the Council of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

He was born on 27 March 1941 in Udupi district (then Madras Presidency, British India). He is survived by his wife Roque Fernandes, son and a daughter.