I have known V. Sreenivasa Prasad since early 1979-80 as it was the time he was making news as a young, dynamic and  daring politician from among the Dalits. He was the pride of Ashokapuram.

Star of Mysore and its sister publication Mysuru Mithra used to cover his political and social service activities regularly.

Over the years as he rose in his political career, I came closer to him. I have written about him in my personal column Abracadabra a number of times, including the time I spent in his MP’s quarters in Delhi in late 1980s for a week as his guest.

It was during this time, I learnt of his humane qualities and sense of humour. He was a treasure house of anecdotes and a raconteur of his experience with other political leaders across party lines. He did not consider his MPship as his Lordship. He was highly

refined in his speech even when angry and rarely raised his voice. However, if provoked he could be sharp like a razor’s edge.

While in Delhi, I learnt, his MP’s quarters was a virtual transit-camp for those who went to Delhi from Mysuru and Karnataka and he helped them all in every way — with Roti and Makhan, except Kapda, to wit. I was a witness for the rush of people in his quarters in the morning for breakfast till past 10 am. What a generous host. I nostalgically remember the exclusive                                        dinner hosted by Azeez Sait, the popular and well-known politician of our city (father of present MLA Tanveer Sait), who was then an MP (elected from Dharwad South: 1984-1989), to me and Sreenivasa Prasad in his house on the occasion. Our dinner lasted till 2.30 am. That, I thought, was Delhi, the Power Centre of our country.

When Sreenivasa Prasad as a Congress leader became the Revenue Minister in 2013 and Siddaramaiah was the Chief Minister, it was as expected. But when Sreenivasa Prasad was dropped from the Cabinet after a couple of years in 2016, he was so deeply hurt that he quit the Congress party and later joined BJP. On that occasion, I wrote an Abracadabra dated 21st June 2016 under the title “Sreenivasa Prasad Vs Siddaramaiah:          A case of Et tu Brute?”

Reading the article in Deccan Herald dated 1st May, 2024 by S. Narendra about Sreenivasa Prasad titled ‘A rare politician,’  I thought it must appear in Star of Mysore and Mysuru Mithra. It is published here alongside with Deccan Herald’s permission and I thought I must add my own admiration for a gentleman politician while vouchsafing that what S. Narendra had written. My regret is that much as I wanted to attend his last journey I was unable to do so. Here is my tribute and salute to an ideal, people’s politician. RIP Sreenivasa Prasad.

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