Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday condoled the demise of Forest, Food & Civil Supplies Minister Umesh Katti who passed on September 06 evening and said that his death is a huge loss for the state.

I've lost a very close friend of mine. he was a brother to me. He had some heart issues but we never thought he'll pass away so soon. He has done a lot of work for the state. He handled several portfolios efficiently. It is a huge loss for the state. He has left a huge vacuum which is very difficult to fill up," Bommai said while speaking to ANI.