Senior Karnataka politician, former minister, and former MP Shivanand Koujalagi died on Friday at age 87 from age-related ailments. He breathed his last at his residence in Bailhongal in Belagavi district. His death has stirred Karnataka’s political circles, especially in North Karnataka, where he was considered an influential politician.
Koujalagi’s death also ends a chapter in the political and educational history of the region. His son Mahantesh Koujalagi (sitting MLA from Bailhongal Assembly constituency) mourned his demise through an emotional post on social media.
Shivanand Koujalagi had a long political career spanning several decades and contributed to state and national politics as well. He was elected three times to the Legislative Assembly from Bailhongal constituency and built a strong political presence in the district.
As an MLA, he worked for infrastructure development and social development in his constituency; his political influence transcended the district when he was elected MP from Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency in 1996 also. His entry into national politics made him an even more important political figure from North Karnataka.
Apart from being MLA and MP, Koujalagi was also a minister in the Karnataka government. He was Minister for the Public Works Department (PWD). Here, he was involved with infrastructure development; roads and bridges across North Karnataka were improved under him.
Connectivity between rural and urban areas and transportation infrastructure were strengthened. His political career was linked to the development of the Belagavi region, and even after retiring from electoral politics, he continued to be an influential personality in the district's political scene.
Koujalagi was not limited to politics. He was also associated with the prestigious Karnataka Lingayat Education (KLE) Society as working president and later as president of the institution. Koujalagi contributed to its educational vision and expansion as working president of KLE Society and later as president.
While in KLE Society, he supported initiatives to make quality higher education and healthcare facilities available to students and people from rural and economically weaker sections; his involvement in the organisation showed his commitment towards strengthening educational opportunities beyond major cities. KLE Society has been instrumental in the development of educational and health institutions in Karnataka, and Koujalagi’s leadership was part of this institutional journey.
His demise has evoked an outpouring of condolences from political leaders, public representatives and educational institutions across the state. Chief Minister, several state ministers, MLAs, leaders from different parties, as well as office bearers of KLE Society have expressed their sorrow over his death.
Leaders from across party lines remembered his contribution to public life, infrastructure development and education in North Karnataka. His son Mahantesh Koujalagi’s emotional tribute has also highlighted the sitting MLA losing his father and senior political mentor at the same time.
Family sources said that Shivanand Koujalagi’s last rites will be performed on Saturday (October 31) at 11 am at the cremation ground in his native village Anigol near Bailhongal. Veerashaiva Lingayat religion will be followed while conducting the funeral.
Members of the public, political leaders, supporters and well-wishers would pay their last respects at his residence in Bailhongal. He is being mourned all over Belagavi district and North Karnataka for his three terms as MLA, parliament tenure, service as PWD Minister and education through KLE Society. He is remembered for what he did politically and educationally in Karnataka.
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