Kerala governor Sikander Bakht, 85, died on Monday night.

He was critical after suffering a viral attack while recuperating from a surgery at the Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.

Dr Babu Mathew, flown in from Apollo Hospital, Chennai, had examined him on Monday and discussed the course of treatment with the doctors who were attending on him.

Bakht had to undergo the operation on February 19 to remove an intestinal block.

Bakht's wife Raj and sons Anil and Sunil were in the hospital when the end came.

Chief Minister A K Antony and his Cabinet colleagues reached the hospital on hearing the news of the death.

The state government declared a day's holiday on Tuesday and seven-day mourning.

Expressing profound grief, Antony said the country had been deprived of an honest public servant.

He said Bakht's demise was a big personal loss to him as well.