Bengaluru / Davanagere: Senior Congress leader, six-time MLA and former minister Shamanur Shivashankarappa passed away on Monday following age-related health complications, sources confirmed. He was 95 years old and was regarded as the oldest serving legislator in the country, marking the end of a long and influential chapter in Karnataka and national politics.
Over the past few weeks, several reports had emerged regarding his deteriorating health. While there were indications earlier that he was responding to treatment and recovering, his condition worsened in recent days. He was undergoing treatment at Sparsh Hospital in Bengaluru, where doctors had placed him under intensive medical supervision. Despite sustained efforts by the medical team, he breathed his last due to age-related ailments.
Shamanur Shivashankarappa was one of the most respected political veterans of the Congress party, having served as an MLA six times and as a minister once, holding the Horticulture portfolio. Though he never aggressively lobbied for ministerial positions, his influence within the party and government remained formidable. He also served for decades as the Treasurer of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), playing a crucial role in managing party organisation and election campaigns.
Born in 1931 in Davanagere, Shivashankarappa began his political journey with Left-oriented ideology, before formally joining the Congress party, where he spent the majority of his political life. Over nearly five decades in public life, he emerged as one of the most powerful leaders in Central Karnataka, particularly among the LingayatโVeerashaiva community.
He also served as the National President of the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, commanding immense respect across Karnataka and several other states. Even at an advanced age, he continued to guide community leadership and political strategy, making his role far more influential behind the scenes than on the campaign trail.
Beyond politics, Shamanur Shivashankarappa was also known as a prominent educationist, healthcare entrepreneur and businessman. The family runs major institutions including Bapuji Educational Institutions, hospitals, agro-based enterprises and distilleries, making him one of the most economically influential figures in the region.
His political legacy continues through his family. His son S.S. Mallikarjun is currently a Cabinet Minister in the Karnataka government, while his daughter-in-law Prabha Mallikarjun is the sitting Member of Parliament from Davanagere South. Together, the family has played a defining role in shaping Davanagereโs political and developmental landscape for decades.
Senior leaders including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had visited him recently to enquire about his health, underlining his stature within the party.
Widely regarded as a master political strategist, Shivashankarappa was known more for his organisational acumen and community influence than for mass rallies or fiery speeches. His ability to identify candidates, manage internal party dynamics and guide electoral outcomes earned him respect across party lines.
With his passing, Karnataka politics has lost one of its tallest and most enduring figures, whose influence extended far beyond electoral politics into social, educational and community leadership.
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