Former chief minister S Bangarappa was a socialist who worked towards bridging the gap between the haves and the have-nots. In spite of his party-hopping habit, he was one of those rare politicians who had a clarity, said Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar.

Addressing the gathering at a programme organised to mark 80th birth anniversary of S Bangarappa organised by S Bangarappa Vichara Vedike in Bangalore on Friday, Shettar said that the government would consider the Vedike’s demands of installing Bangarappa’s statue in Vidhana Soudha, and also name one of the Universities in the State after him.

Shettar said it was Bangarappa who had inspired him as a politician. “His oratory skills in the Assembly remains unmatched. His debates were always well researched,” he said.

Shettar said Bangarappa had excelled both as a chief minister and as a minister, holding key portfolios. Bangarappa, as chief minister, had in fact taken daring decisions during the Cauvery unrest.

Numerous opportunities

Shettar said he had numerous opportunities to interact with Bangarappa at close quarters when he was serving as the BJP president, and the latter was in the lotus party. “But he decided to quit the party suddenly. I requested him not to take any decisions. But he convinced me otherwise.”

JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy said that Bangarappa had a great verve for life. “He remains the only politician in the country to have had strong convictions. He had no godfathers to promote him in politics. I feel fortunate to have worked with him so closely during his last days. He was never insecure as a politician,” he added.
Political leaders, family members and well-wishers paid rich tributes to Bangarappa, who passed away 10 months ago.

Jnanpith awardee and a close associate of Bangarappa, Chandrashekar Kambar said that the leader also had a keen interest in music and in the field of education, and that his contributions to education sector was immense. “He was a dreamer. It is, thanks to his vision, that the Kannada University, Hampi is a thriving institution of knowledge,” he said.
DH News Service