Veteran Congress leader and former Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the Chikkapete constituency, R.V. Devaraj, passed away on Monday, December 1, 2025, at the age of 67. The senior politician suffered a cardiac arrest in Mysuru, where he had reportedly gone for prayers at Chamundi Hills.
Devaraj was rushed to a private hospital but was tragically declared dead on arrival, confirming the sudden and profound loss to the Congress party and Karnataka’s political landscape.
A Dedicated Public Servant
Born on December 3, 1957, Ronur Venkateshappa Devaraj was a well-known figure, particularly in the Chikkapete and Chamarajpet areas of Bengaluru, where he was celebrated for his accessible nature and social work.
His extensive political career and contributions included:
- MLA Tenure: He represented the Chamarajpet constituency as an MLA and, following delimitation, contested from the Chikkapete constituency.
- Key Organizational Roles: He was a senior member within the Congress party, having served as a General Secretary of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) and a Member of the All India Congress Committee (AICC).
- Public Sector Leadership: Devaraj held the position of Chairman of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) for an extended period, from 2000 until October 2007. He also served as the Chairman of the Karnataka Slum Development Board in 2016.
Political Condolences Pour In
News of his demise brought profound sorrow across the political spectrum. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was among the first to express his deep grief on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
"The news of the passing of Shri R.V. Devaraj, former MLA of Chikkapete and senior Congress leader, has brought profound sorrow. His contributions to the Chikkapete constituency through politics and social service are immeasurable. His departure has caused a great loss to the state's politics and the Chikkapete constituency," Shivakumar wrote, offering his prayers for the departed soul.
R.V. Devaraj's passing leaves a void in the state unit of the Congress party, particularly in his strongholds where his decades of dedicated service had earned him widespread respect and loyalty. His legacy as an approachable grassroots leader and an efficient administrator will be remembered by his colleagues and constituents.
