Bagalkot: Maribasamma (104), wife of former Karnataka Chief Minister late S.R. Kanti, passed away at KLE Hospital in Belagavi yesterday following age related ailments. She leaves behind son Mahendra Kanti, Chairman of Sainik School at Kittur in Belagavi. Another son had predeceased her a few years ago.

The body of Maribasamma was kept at the Sainik School for the public to pay their last respects. Last rites took place at Ilkal in Bagalkot yesterday.

Shivalingappa Rudrappa Kanti, popularly known as S.R. Kanti, was the Chief Minister of the then Mysore State for 96 days in 1962. He hailed from Lingayat community in Hungund, Bagalkot (formerly Bijapur). 

A member of INC, he served as the Assembly Speaker from 1956 to 1962. As Education Minister in S. Nijalingappa Cabinet, he was instrumental in the establishment of Bangalore University and Kittur Rani Chennamma Sainik Schools.