Shamanur Shivashankarappa contributed to Congress growth in state

BENGALURU: Karnataka politics and the industrial sector lost a unique personality with the passing of Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, who built a fortress in the business sector. From birth to death, he had gone through many ups and downs and there is no single report that can encapsulate his success.

In Karnataka politics, there is no one who has not heard the name Shamanuru Shivashankarappa. On one side, he was a politician, and on the other, he built industries and made a name for himself. His contribution to the growth of the Congress in Karnataka is immense. Though he only studied up to SSLC, he built an empire in politics and industry.

Shamanuru Shivashankarappa’s early life was very simple. He entered the industrial field and built a large empire. At one time Davanagere was famous for its cotton mills and was called the ‘Manchester of Karnataka’. But when the mills closed, Shamanuru prevented Davanagere’s economy from collapsing. He took advantage of the Bhadra Canal project and ventured into agriculture‑based industries.

In Kukkavada, he took over the loss‑making Davanagere Sugar Mills and made it profitable. Later, in 1995, he established Shamanuru Limited and started sugar production in 1999. Not only sugar, but he also started a distillery and power generation, providing employment to thousands.

Shamanuru also earned popularity by establishing educational institutions. Dharmaratnakara Rajanhalli Madhurayappa founded the Bapuji Educational Association in 1958, and in 1972 Shamanuru Shivashankarappa took over its leadership. At that time, there were only five colleges; today he has grown this institution into a huge network of more than fifty institutions.

ದಾವಣಗೆರೆ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕವಾಗಿ, ಆರ್ಥಿಕವಾಗಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಶೈಕ್ಷಣಿಕವಾಗಿ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಶಾಮನೂರು ಶಿವಶಂಕರಪ್ಪ ಅವರು ಕಾರಣ.

ಶಾಮನೂರು ಶಿವಶಂಕರಪ್ಪ ಅವರು ತಮ್ಮ 63ನೇ ವಯಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಧಾನಸಭೆ ಪ್ರವೇಶಿಸಿ ಆರು ಬಾರಿ ಶಾಸಕರಾದವರು. ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಸಂಸತ್ ಸದಸ್ಯರಾಗಿದ್ದರು. ದೀರ್ಘ ಕಾಲದ ರಾಜಕೀಯದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದರು.

ಅಖಿಲ ಭಾರತ ವೀರಶೈವ… pic.twitter.com/ZtXFfjxrZn

— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) December 15, 2025

Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology, JJM Medical College, Dental College, Pharmacy, and Nursing — he brought dozens of professional courses and institutes to Davanagere.

With the aim of providing education to rural students, especially girls, he strengthened the EVK Women’s College. Now more than 3,400 female students are pursuing degree education. Shamanuru opened colleges in rural areas such as Kunibelekere, Harihara, Tolagunase and Chennagiri, bringing education to the doorsteps of the poor.

He was chairman of Davangere Angavikala Ashakiran Trust, Davangere Cricket Club, and Davangere Sports Club, president of the All‑India Veerashiva Mahasabha; and president of Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology and several professional educational institutions, as well as the Bapuji Engineering Association.

In 1969, Shamanuru Shivashankarappa entered politics as a member of Davanagere Municipal Council and, after a resounding victory, became president of the Davangere Municipal Council in just two years (in 1971). He entered the Legislative Assembly for the first time as an MLA from the Davanagere South constituency in 1994. From then on, without looking back, Shamanuru achieved a series of victories and became a prominent figure in Karnataka politics.

ಮಾಜಿ ಸಚಿವರು, ಶಾಸಕರು, ಅಖಿಲ ಭಾರತ ವೀರಶೈವ ಲಿಂಗಾಯತ ಮಹಾಸಭಾದ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರು ಹಾಗೂ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್‌ ಪಕ್ಷದ ಹಿರಿಯ ನಾಯಕರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ಶಾಮನೂರು ಶಿವಶಂಕರಪ್ಪ ಅವರ ನಿಧನದ ಸುದ್ದಿ ಕೇಳಿ ಅತೀವ ದುಃಖವಾಯಿತು. ಸಮಾಜ ಸೇವೆಗಾಗಿ ತಮ್ಮ ಜೀವನವನ್ನೇ ಮುಡಿಪಾಗಿಟ್ಟ ಶಿವಶಂಕರಪ್ಪನವರು ಶೈಕ್ಷಣಿಕ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರಕ್ಕೆ ವಿಶೇಷ ಕೊಡುಗೆ ನೀಡಿದ್ದರು. ಅವರ… pic.twitter.com/432ygHGNIP

— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) December 14, 2025

He served as the treasurer of the KPCC for three decades, standing as the financial backbone of the party even during its most difficult times. A prominent leader of the Lingayat community, he also organised society as the president of the All‑India Veerashaiva Mahasabha. Davanagere South constituency was always a fortress for Shamanuru Shivashankarappa. Moreover, in the 2008, 2013, 2018 and 2023 legislative assembly elections, he recorded consecutive victories, creating a new record.

Similarly, he served various high positions in the Karnataka government. He was elected to the legislative assembly six times and once to Parliament. He suffered a defeat in the Davangere Lok Sabha by‑election in 1997 — the only loss in a five‑decade political career.

He was elected as an MLA in 1994, 2004, 2008, 2013, 2018, and 2023, and by serving in key portfolios in different state governments, he also contributed greatly as a minister.