CM Siddaramaiah, Union minister Shobha Karandlaje, others pay last respects to DB Chandregowda

CHIKKAMAGALUR: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday offered his last respects to veteran Congress leader D B Chandregowda at the latter’s Poornachandra estate at Daradahalli in Mudigere taluk where the mortal remains were kept. The final rites were to be performed later in the afternoon after the arrival of one of his daughters from the USA.

A gun salute was given to the departed leader.

Several political leaders including Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Shobha Karandlaje, former ministers Araga Jnanendra and Dr D N Jeevaraj, BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel, Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar also paid their last respects. Chandregowda passed away on Tuesday at the age of 87.

Siddaramaiah offering his condolences to Chandregowda’s wife Purna and their daughters.

Chandregowda had given a new lease of life to former PM Indira Gandhi’s political career by vacating his seat for her in 1979 when she had lost. He entered politics from Janata Dal along with Siddaramaiah.

Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje also offered her condolences to the family.

Speaking to media persons later, Siddaramaiah said, “When I was MLA, he was Assembly Speaker between 1983 and 1985. He had even got an award for being a good Speaker. It was a difficult time those days when Ramakrishna Hegde was the CM with support from the BJP. He ran the House very well. He was an MLA and minister in the Congress. Chandregowda’s unique feat was that he was member of the legislative Assembly, Council, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. We have lost a good leader in Chandregowda”.