Bengaluru: Veteran Congress leader and senior Karnataka politician Shamanur Shivashankarappa passed away on Sunday at the age of 94 after a prolonged illness. He breathed his last at a private hospital in Bengaluru, leaving behind a long legacy of public service spanning several decades.
Shivashankarappa was one of the most respected figures in Karnataka politics and held the distinction of being the oldest serving legislator in the country at the time of his death. A multiple-time MLA from Davanagere South, he was known for his strong grassroots connect and influence in central Karnataka.
During his political career, Shivashankarappa served as a Cabinet minister in the Karnataka government and also represented the state in the Lok Sabha. A loyal Congress leader, he remained active in public life well into his 90s and was widely admired for his simplicity and accessibility.
Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum, with leaders remembering him as a committed public servant who worked tirelessly for the development of Davanagere and the welfare of the people. The Karnataka government expressed deep condolences and is expected to accord him state honours during his last rites.
Arrangements have been made for the public to pay their respects, and his funeral will be held in Davanagere later today.
Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s demise marks the end of an era in Karnataka politics, with leaders and citizens alike mourning the loss of a towering political personality.