Veteran Congress leader and the country's oldest sitting MLA, Shamanur Shivashankarappa, passed away on Sunday evening at a private hospital in Bengaluru. He was 94. The political stalwart, who represented the Davanagere South constituency in the Karnataka Assembly, had been undergoing treatment for age-related ailments and a lung infection.
A Towering Figure in Karnataka Politics
Shamanur Shivashankarappa, a six-time MLA, was a prominent and influential figure in Karnataka's political landscape. Born on June 16, 1931, he started his political journey in 1969 through the Municipal Council before first being elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1994.
- He served as the MLA for Davanagere South and was previously a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Davanagere Lok Sabha constituency (1998-1999).
- During his long career, he also held a ministerial berth, serving as the Minister for Horticulture and Agricultural Marketing in the Siddaramaiah cabinet (2013–2016).
- He was one of the longest-serving members of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), having served as its treasurer for several decades.
Social and Educational Legacy
Beyond his political contributions, Shamanur Shivashankarappa was widely known as a noted industrialist and a passionate educationist.
- He was the respected National President of the Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha (which was later named Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha), the apex body of the influential Veerashaiva-Lingayat community.
- He is credited with transforming Davanagere into an educational hub through the Bapuji Educational Association, which established numerous colleges, including medical, dental, and engineering institutions.
He is survived by his three sons and four daughters, including his son S.S. Mallikarjun, who is currently the Minister for Mines and Geology and Horticulture in the Karnataka cabinet, and his daughter-in-law Prabha Mallikarjun, the current Davanagere MP.
Condolences and Public Homage
News of his demise drew widespread condolences from leaders across the political spectrum, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who acknowledged his immense contribution to the state. The Davanagere district administration has announced a holiday for schools and colleges on Monday, December 15, as a mark of respect for the departed leader.
The passing of Shamanur Shivashankarappa marks the end of an era in Karnataka politics, leaving behind a profound legacy in public service, education, and social reform.
