Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa passes away at 95; tributes pour in

Veteran Congress person Shamanuru Shivashankarappa passed distant astatine a backstage infirmary successful Davanagere connected Sunday owed to age-related ailments, household members and officials said. He was 95.A six-time MLA who represented the Davanagere South Assembly constituency, Shivashankarappa had been undergoing attraction for immoderate time. He was the senior-most legislator successful Karnataka and among the astir elder lawmakers successful the country, according to sources.“He was admitted to infirmary connected October 23. Age-related issues were there. He was good and comfy and the concern continued till the end. Unfortunately, astatine 6.20 PM, Shamanuru Shivashankarappa passed away,” Dr Sharan Patil of Sparsh Hospital, who is besides a household member, told reporters.Shivashankarappa is survived by 3 sons, including Karnataka Minister for Mines and Geology and Horticulture S S Mallikarjun, and 4 daughters. His daughter-in-law, Prabha Mallikarjun, is the Member of Parliament from Davanagere.A erstwhile minister, Shivashankarappa served arsenic treasurer of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) for respective decades and was besides president of the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, the apex assemblage of the influential Veerashaiva-Lingayat community.

Known for his forthright views, helium worked to unify the assemblage amid interior differences and did not hesitate to talk against his ain enactment authorities connected issues related to it.Apart from his governmental career, Shivashankarappa was a noted educationist who founded respective acquisition institutions and was besides an industrialist. He had earlier served arsenic a curate and was erstwhile elected arsenic a Member of Parliament.Chief curate Siddaramaiah expressed grief implicit his death, saying, “The nine has been near poorer by the nonaccomplishment of a person who, during his agelong nationalist life, stayed distant from accusations and allegations and devoted his powerfulness to the payment of the people.”

He added that Shivashankarappa’s relation successful making Davanagere territory a exemplary territory would support his representation live among the people.Deputy main curate DK Shivakumar said Shivashankarappa, who dedicated his beingness to societal service, made a important publication to the tract of education. “His departure has caused an irreparable nonaccomplishment to the state and the Congress Party,” helium said successful a station connected X.AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge recalled his agelong relation with Shivashankarappa and his household since 1972.

“I commune to the Almighty to springiness spot to Shivashankarappa's household to carnivore the loss,” helium said successful a video message, adding that helium would sojourn Karnataka to instrumentality portion successful the past rites.Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda besides expressed grief, recalling his agelong relation with the seasoned leader. “His simplicity and his agelong work to the radical successful nationalist beingness volition ever beryllium remembered. His departure is an irreparable nonaccomplishment to the state,” helium said.Veteran BJP person and erstwhile main curate B S Yediyurappa described Shivashankarappa arsenic a adjacent associate. “Personally, I person mislaid a beloved elder brother,” helium said, adding, “His departure is an irreparable nonaccomplishment to authorities politics, particularly to Davanagere territory and the Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha.”Union ministers HD Kumaraswamy and V Somanna, respective members of the Siddaramaiah cabinet, Leader of Opposition successful the Assembly R Ashoka, authorities BJP president B Y Vijayendra, and galore different leaders and legislators besides expressed condolences.