Bengaluru, Jul 18 (PTI) Chennamma Deve Gowda, the wife of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, passed away on Saturday after suffering a massive cardiac arrest at a private hospital here.
She was 89.
According to hospital authorities, she was admitted to Manipal Hospital on Old Airport Road in the city on Wednesday night.
She was undergoing treatment for a respiratory ailment.
“We regret to inform that Mrs Chennamma suffered a massive cardiac arrest despite being on the road to recovery today at 4 pm,” the hospital said in a statement.
Gowda, his son and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, and other family members were at the hospital.
The mortal remains will be shifted to the family’s residence in Padmanabhanagar in the city tonight and are likely to remain there till Sunday afternoon. The last rites are likely to be held on Monday at the family’s native place in Hassan district, family sources said.
Chennamma survived an acid attack in February 2001, which allegedly stemmed from a family feud.
She married Gowda in 1954, and the couple had four sons and two daughters, among them Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy and MLA H D Revanna, who represents the Holenarasipur constituency in Hassan district.
Despite being the wife and mother of prominent politicians, Chennamma largely stayed away from the public spotlight.
Gowda often publicly acknowledged her sacrifices, unwavering support and the crucial role she played in managing the family while he pursued his demanding political career.
Her son Kumaraswamy has often said that his mother’s values have guided him throughout his political journey.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar offered his condolences over Chennamma’s demise, describing her as a motherly figure.
He said she was a deeply religious woman and a devoted mother who nurtured and guided a large family.
He noted that Chennamma’s hard work and sacrifices were instrumental in the political and personal rise of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, H D Kumaraswamy, H D Revanna and other members of the family.
“We were all hopeful that she would recover and return home from the hospital. It is deeply saddening that this hope did not come true,” he said in a statement.
“It is often said that behind every successful man stands a woman. Chennamma stood firmly behind every success of Deve Gowda. She neither lost heart when family members faced defeat nor became overjoyed in victory. Through the ups and downs of politics, she remained his pillar of strength,” Shivakumar said.
He said that by responsibly managing the household, she became the true strength behind Gowda’s life.
“She managed the entire family quietly, never seeking publicity and always remaining behind the scenes,” he added.
The CM said that losing his wife at this advanced stage of life was an irreparable loss for Gowda and his family.
“I pray that her soul attains eternal peace. May God grant strength to her family, relatives and well-wishers to bear this immense grief,” Shivakumar said.
Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka G Parameshwara offered his condolences and said Chennamma had been a constant pillar of strength throughout Gowda’s political journey and public life.
“I pray that Shri Deve Gowda and the entire family find the strength to overcome this profound loss,” he said in a post on X.
Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly R Ashoka said the news of the demise of the former Prime Minister’s wife had caused him profound grief.
“The passing of the matriarch of a family is an irreplaceable loss that can never truly be filled. In this difficult and painful moment, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Shri H D Deve Gowda, Union Minister Shri H D Kumaraswamy and all the members of the Deve Gowda family,” he said in a post on X.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who visited the hospital to pay his respects, said he was deeply saddened to learn about the demise of Chennamma, wife of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and mother of Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy.
“Throughout Shri Deve Gowda’s long political journey, with all its highs and lows, she stood by him as a constant source of support and was the guiding maternal force for the entire family. The passing of the simple and noble-hearted Chennamma is a great loss to the entire Deve Gowda family,” he said in a post on X.
Expressing his condolences, the senior BJP leader prayed that the Almighty grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give Gowda, Kumaraswamy and the entire bereaved family the strength to bear this irreparable loss.
In a statement, BJP Karnataka President B Y Vijayendra also expressed his condolences and said Chennamma’s contribution to Gowda’s achievements in the political arena had been significant.
He prayed that God grant eternal peace to her soul and give her family the strength to bear the grief of her loss. PTI AMP KSU SSK
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