Chikkamagaluru, November 7 (Language) Karnataka’s veteran leader and former minister D.B. Chandragowda died on Tuesday morning at his residence at Daradahalli in Mudigere taluk here due to age-related ailments. He was 87 years old.
Gowda had given up his Lok Sabha seat for former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi after the Emergency in 1978, paving the way for his political comeback.
Gowda is survived by his wife and four daughters.
Sources close to the Gowda family said his mortal remains will be kept at Adyanthaya Rangamandir in Mudigere till this evening for last darshan and his last rites are likely to be performed at his native place Daradahalli on Wednesday.
Gowda, who has been a member of all four houses – Assembly, Legislative Council, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, has been in various political parties. These include Praja Socialist Party, Karnataka Kranti Rang, Janata Party, Janata Dal, Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
He came into limelight when he gave up the membership of the Lok Sabha in 1978 to pave the way for former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to contest elections from Chikkamagaluru constituency and worked to ensure Indira Gandhi’s victory.
Indira Gandhi, who was out of power after her defeat in the general elections held in 1977 after the Emergency, contested the Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha by-election in 1978 and won. His victory gave new life to Congress at that time.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over his demise, calling Gowda a veteran public servant. In his condolence message, the Prime Minister said that he has left an indelible mark as an MP, MLA and minister in Karnataka.
“His deep understanding of the Constitution and commitment to community service was remarkable,” the Prime Minister posted on social media platform ‘X’. My heartfelt condolences to his family and supporters. om Shanti.”
Gowda, a lawyer by profession, entered politics in 1971 through Congress. He was a member of Lok Sabha thrice and Rajya Sabha once.
He contested Lok Sabha elections from Chikkamagaluru parliamentary constituency on Congress ticket in 1971 and 1977 and won.
After leaving the seat for Indira Gandhi, Gowda became a member of the Legislative Council from Congress from 1978 to 1983 and became a minister in the Devaraj Urs cabinet.
Later, seeing the changing political scenario, he left Congress along with Urs and joined Karnataka Kranti Rang.
Gowda was a member of the Assembly thrice. He represented Tirthahalli constituency twice on Janata Party ticket and Sringeri constituency once on Congress ticket. He was the Minister of Law and Parliamentary Affairs in the SM Krishna government.
He became a Rajya Sabha member in 1986 on Janata Party ticket. Later Janata Party became Janata Dal.
He contested elections from Bengaluru North parliamentary constituency in 2009 on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket and reached the Lok Sabha.
Gowda, who was a minister in various governments, was also the Speaker of the State Assembly from 1983 to 1985 and the Leader of the Opposition in both the Assembly and the Legislative Council.
Remembering Gowda, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he was an astute politician with deep knowledge of literature.
“His demise is a loss to Karnataka politics,” he said, adding that he would attend Gowda’s last rites in Mudigere on Wednesday.
Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda expressed grief over Chandra Gowda’s demise.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, former Chief Ministers – B. S. Several leaders and personalities, including Yediyurappa, Basavaraj Bommai and HD Kumaraswamy, have expressed grief over Gowda’s demise.
Language Surbhi Avinash
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