Former Union Minister and Congress Rajya Sabha member Oscar Fernandes who was undergoing treatment at a private hospital for head injuries in Mangaluru passed away on Monday.

He had suffered head injury after a fall while practicing yoga at his residence on July 18 and unconscious since then.

Fernandes had the credit of winning Udupi Lok Sabha constituency for five consecutive terms from 1980 to 1996.

Fernandes, born on March 27, 1941, to Rockey Fernandes and Leonis Fernandes, started his political career as Councillor of Udupi Municipal Council in 1972. He is survived by his wife Blossom Fernandes, son and a daughter.

He had served as the Minister for Highway during the UPA regime was known to enjoy a good rapport with leaders across the hierarchy in the Congress. Close confidant of former Congress President Sonia Gandhi, he had served as the AICC General Secretary and played the role of a trouble-shooter in resolving various issues.

Mangalore University had conferred honorary doctorate to him in the year 2010.