Former state BJP chief B B Shivappa passes away

Former BJP state president B B Shivappa passed away in Bengaluru on Monday. He was 88 and is survived by wife and three sons.

Shivappa was suffering from age-related ailments and was treated at a private hospital in Bengaluru.

A two-time MLA from Sakleshpur in Hassan district and a two-time MLC, Shivappa had strong RSS roots. He joined the BJP in 1981 and was instrumental in building a strong base for the BJP in the state in its earlier days. He was the state president of the BJP for five years from 1983.

In 1999, the BJP emerged the principal Opposition party in the Assembly winning 44 seats. Senior leaders including B S Yeddyurappa and K S Eshwarappa had lost the polls. Shivappa staked claimed for the post of leader of the Opposition as he was the senior most leader in the BJP.

However, the party chose Jagadish Shettar much to the chagrin of Shivappa. The BJP office in Malleswaram witnessed violence with party workers indulging in stone throwing. Shivappa was held responsible for instigating the workers and suspended from the party for six years. He joined the Congress and unsuccessfully contested the 2004 Assembly polls. He later rejoined the BJP. But his differences with Yeddyurappa continued.

Shivappa’s mortal remains were kept at the BJP office in Malleswaram and later at the Legislators’ Home for his supporters and the public to pay their last respects, before being shifted to Kumbarahalli in Sakleshpur taluk. The last rites will be performed on Tuesday.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Yeddyurappa and other political leaders across the political spectrum have condoled Shivappa’s death.