Bengaluru: Chennamma (86), wife of former Prime Minister and JD(S) patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda passed away at a private Hospital here on Saturday following brief illness.

She was admitted on Wednesday night with breathing complications and chest congestion to Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru where she passed away following a massive cardiac arrest at 4 pm on Saturday.

She is survived by her husband, four sons, two daughters and several grandchildren including former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, MLC Dr. Suraj Revanna and State JD(S) youth wing President Nikhil Kumaraswamy. Union Minister and former Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and MLA and former Minister H.D. Revanna are among her children. One of her two sons-in-law, Dr. C.N. Manjunath is currently the Bengaluru rural BJP MP.  Also, one of her daughters-in-law Anitha Kumaraswamy is a former MLA.

Her passing brings to an end a companionship of over seven decades that endured the many highs and lows of public life of H.D. Deve Gowda. Throughout Deve Gowda’s political journey, she remained a steadfast presence by his side, supporting him from their modest beginnings at Holenarasipura in Hassan district to his ascent to the Prime Minister’s office in Delhi in 1996.

Her mortal remains were kept at the family’s Padmanabhanagar residence till noon today, following which it was taken to Hassan where it would be kept for public view. Later in the day, the mortal remains will be shifted to the family’s farmland in Holenarasipura taluk where the last rites will be performed tomorrow, it is learnt.

Leaders pay last respects

Soon after learning about Chennamma’s death, many political leaders and other personalities from all walks of life, paid visit to Deve Gowda’s Padmanabhanagar residence to pay their last respects to the departed soul.

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, State BJP Chief B.Y. Vijayendra, MPs P.C. Mohan and Tejaswi Surya, Minister Priyank Kharge, MLA and former Minister Gali Janardhan Reddy, former Minister B. Sriramulu and a host of other elected representatives and leaders paid their last respects to the mortal remains of Chennamma.

Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who visited  H.D. Deve Gowda’s residence at Padmanabhanagar on Saturday to pay his last respects to departed Chennamma, seen consoling former PM H.D. Deve Gowda (HDD) who broke into tears.

Had survived an acid attack

The darkest chapter and one of the most trying times in Chennamma’s life came in 2001. She was returning with family members after visiting the family’s temple in Holenarasipura taluk during Shivarathri, when she was attacked with acid allegedly by Deve Gowda’s nephew Lokesh. Chennamma sustained nearly 70 percent burns and spent over two months undergoing treatment at a Bengaluru Hospital. The attack was reportedly linked to a family dispute and a judicial inquiry was ordered. She however recovered and led a healthy life thereafter till COVID-19, which rendered her lungs weak a couple of years ago.

Stayed away from politics

Despite her husband’s long public career, Chennamma stayed away from politics, choosing instead to focus on her family. She maintained a low profile even as the Deve Gowda family emerged as one of the influential political dynasties of the State.

JD(S) workers and party leaders often described Chennamma as a quiet person, admired for her humility, discipline and unwavering support through the many phases of Deve Gowda’s decades long political journey. As Gowda immersed himself in politics and travelled extensively, she took charge of the family.

Traffic on Mysuru-Hassan Road diverted

With a large number of people and vehicles expected from all across the State to travel for the last rites of Chennamma, wife of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, to take place at the family’s farm land at Haradanahalli in Holenarasipur taluk tomorrow (July 20), the district administration has restricted traffic movement on Mysuru – Hassan Road passing through Holenarasipur from 9 am to 12 midnight today (July 19), as a security measure, according to a press release.

The District Administration has notified two alternative routes for people travelling from Mysuru to Hassan during this period (9 am to 12 midnight on July 19).

Alternate routes

1. Mysuru – Srirangapatna – K.R. Pet – Kikkeri-Channarayapatna – Hassan.

2. Mysuru – K.R. Nagar – Bherya – Ramanathapura – Arakalgud – Hassan.