Shamanuru Shivashankarappa (File photo)
Veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa passed away at a private hospital in Davanagere on Sunday due to age-related ailments, family members and officials said. He was 95.A six-time MLA who represented the Davanagere South Assembly constituency, Shivashankarappa had been undergoing treatment for some time. He was the senior-most legislator in Karnataka and among the most senior lawmakers in the country, according to sources.“He was admitted to hospital on October 23. Age-related issues were there. He was fine and comfortable and the situation continued till the end. Unfortunately, at 6.20 PM, Shamanuru Shivashankarappa passed away,” Dr Sharan Patil of Sparsh Hospital, who is also a family member, told reporters.Shivashankarappa is survived by three sons, including Karnataka Minister for Mines and Geology and Horticulture S S Mallikarjun, and four daughters. His daughter-in-law, Prabha Mallikarjun, is the Member of Parliament from Davanagere.A former minister, Shivashankarappa served as treasurer of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) for several decades and was also president of the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, the apex body of the influential Veerashaiva-Lingayat community. Known for his forthright views, he worked to unify the community amid internal differences and did not hesitate to speak against his own party government on issues related to it.Apart from his political career, Shivashankarappa was a noted educationist who founded several educational institutions and was also an industrialist. He had earlier served as a minister and was once elected as a Member of Parliament.Chief minister Siddaramaiah expressed grief over his death, saying, “The society has been left poorer by the loss of a politician who, during his long public life, stayed away from accusations and allegations and devoted his power to the welfare of the people.” He added that Shivashankarappa’s role in making Davanagere district a model district would keep his memory alive among the people.Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said Shivashankarappa, who dedicated his life to social service, made a significant contribution to the field of education. “His departure has caused an irreparable loss to the country and the Congress Party,” he said in a post on X.AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge recalled his long association with Shivashankarappa and his family since 1972. “I pray to the Almighty to give strength to Shivashankarappa’s family to bear the loss,” he said in a video message, adding that he would visit Karnataka to take part in the last rites.Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda also expressed grief, recalling his long association with the veteran leader. “His simplicity and his long service to the people in public life will always be remembered. His departure is an irreparable loss to the state,” he said.Veteran BJP leader and former chief minister B S Yediyurappa described Shivashankarappa as a close associate. “Personally, I have lost a dear elder brother,” he said, adding, “His departure is an irreparable loss to state politics, especially to Davanagere district and the Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha.”Union ministers HD Kumaraswamy and V Somanna, several members of the Siddaramaiah cabinet, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka, state BJP president B Y Vijayendra, and many other leaders and legislators also expressed condolences.
