Overview
- He died at his residence in Bhalki around 10:50 p.m. on January 16 after recent age-related ailments and respiratory complications.
- The family will keep the body for public viewing at the Gandhi Ganj residence on January 17, with last rites in the evening at Shantidham in Bhalki under Veerashaiva Lingayat tradition.
- A freedom fighter who opposed Razakar excesses, he played a role in the Hyderabad Liberation Movement and supported efforts that kept Bidar district within Karnataka during reorganisation.
- His public career spanned the first elected presidency of Bhalki Municipality in 1953, four terms as MLA, two as MLC, and service as Karnataka’s Transport Minister from 1992 to 1994.
- An institution builder, he founded cooperative sugar factories at Hallikhed and Hunaji, advanced the Naranja and Karanja irrigation projects, and led Shantivardhak Education Society to establish colleges in Bidar and Bhalki; he is survived by sons Eshwar and Amar Kumar and four daughters.