Former minister and veteran Lingayat leader Bheemanna Khandre passes away at 102

Mangalore Today News Network

Bidar, January 17, 2026: Former minister and ex-president of the Akhil Bharat Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha, Bheemanna Khandre (102), passed away at his residence in Bhalki on Friday night. He had been undergoing treatment at a hospital for the past two weeks.

He was suffering from age-related ailments and was on life support. He is survived by two sons and five daughters, including Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar Khandre.

Khandre represented the Bhalki Assembly constituency four times and served two terms as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC). He also held the portfolio of transport minister in the Veerappa Moily cabinet in 1992. Several religious heads and political leaders have expressed condolences over his demise.