BANGALORE: Veteran politician and former minister H C Srikantaiah (87) died here on Saturday at a private hospital after a brief illness.
Fondly known as ‘Hirisave Annaiah,’ Srikantaiah represented Shravanabelagola constituency four times in the Assembly. He was also member of the Lok Sabha and state legislative council.
As Cabinet minister, he effectively handled the Forest Department, Urban Development, Revenue and Minor Irrigation in governments headed by Devaraj Urs, Gundu Rao, Veerendra Patil and S M Krishna.
After spending almost four decades in the Congress, Srikantaiah, considered one of the Vokkaliga strongmen, joined the BJP ahead of 2009 Parliament elections. However, JD(S) national president H D Deve Gowda defeated him in the Hassan Lok Sabha polls.
In 1980, Srikantaiah had a chance to become the chief minister following his key role in garnering the support of 80 MLAs to the faction which was loyal to late prime minister Indira Gandhi. But luck was not in his side as Gundurao became the CM with the help of his links in Delhi, particularly Sanjay Gandhi.
He is survived by five daughters and three sons.
Srikantaiah’s body will be taken to his home town Hirisave in Channarayapatna taluk and cremated on Sunday with state honours.
Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, Union Minister Mallikarjun Kharge, KPCC president G Parameshwar and several others paid their respects to the departed leader.
Condolences
Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, Hassan district Minister V Somanna, former MLA from Sakleshpur constituency B R Gurudev, Arsikere constituency GV Siddappa and BJP ZP member Jyoti Gurudev condoled the death and lauded Srikantaiah’s no-nonsense behaviour.
Charukeerthy Bhattaraka Swamiji of Shravanabelagola mutt praised the departed leader and said he served his constituency and district cutting across caste and party lines.