Senior Congress leader and Former Minister Shamanur Shivashankarappa dies at 94

Mangalore Today News Network

Davanagere, December 15, 2025: Senior Congress MLA and former minister Shamanur Shivashankarappa, who also served as the national president of the Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha, passed away on Sunday at a private hospital in Bengaluru. He was 94.

Shivashankarappa had been battling age-related health issues and was undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit for the past month. Despite sustained medical efforts, his condition failed to improve, and he breathed his last at the hospital.

Widely regarded as one of the senior-most serving legislators in the country, Shivashankarappa’s passing marks the end of an era in Karnataka politics.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had recently visited the hospital to enquire about his health and spoke with the attending doctors. Supporters in Davanagere had also offered prayers for his recovery. His demise on Sunday has cast a pall of grief across the state.

Born on June 16, 1931, in Davanagere district, Shamanur Shivashankarappa was the son of Shamanur Kallappa and Shamanur Savitramma.

He is survived by his wife Parvathamma; daughters Dr Manjula Shivashankar, Sudha Patil, Dr Shailaja Bhattacharya and Meena; sons S S Bakkesh, S S Ganesh and S S Mallikarjun; along with numerous relatives and well-wishers.