BENGALURU: He was known as Ajatashatru, the man with no enemies, in Karnataka’s highly divisive politics. Former Chief Minister Dharam Singh, 80, who died on Thursday following a cardiac arrest, was also a dyed-in-the-wool Congressman who helped revive the party’s fortunes as KPCC president, kept away from controversies during his five-decades long career and always had a ready Urdu shayari (couplet) whenever the occasion demanded.
Singh, who was ailing, was rushed to a private hospital in Bengaluru at 9 am after he complained of chest pain and was declared dead at 11.30am.Born on December 25, 1936, in Nelogi village in Kalaburagi’s Jewaragi taluk, Singh belonged to the Rajput community. He was elected Jewargi MLA seven times and was also MP from Bidar. Singh was Chief Minister of the state’s first coalition government for two years under the 20-20 coalition pact with JD(S).
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who was in Haveri, rushed to Bengaluru on hearing the news. He described Singh as a fountain of affection and fondly recalled the functional freedom that Singh gave him when he was the Deputy Chief Minister in Singh’s cabinet. The government declared a 3-day mourning in honour of the 17th Chief Minister. Schools and government offices were shut on Thursday afternoon. Holiday has been announced on Friday only in Kalaburagi and Bidar districts.
Singh’s body was flown to Bidar for public viewing at his residence. The final rites will be held with full state honours at Nelogi village in Kalaburagi on Friday. Singh is survived by his wife, two sons who are both lawmakers and a daughter.