Bantwal : Former president of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat and veteran Congress leader B Sadananda Poonja passed away at a private hospital in Mangaluru on Saturday following a brief illness.

Sadananda Poonja (80) was considered the architect of the development of Sajipamuda village. He had even served as District Congress President and had played a key role in the starting of the Government PU College in Sajipamuda.

He had served as Vice President of Taluk Board and as Member of State Pollution Control Board. He was also active in social and religious fields.