Veteran Congress leader Mittu Chengappa, first voter in every polls is no more

Madikeri: Veteran Congress leader Mittu Chengappa, who was known to be the first voter in the booth at every election, passed away due to age-related issues at a private hospital in Ammatti in Kodagu on Thursday. He was 83.

Since 1962, he had exercised his franchise 31 times without missing each of the Lok Sabha, the Assembly and the City Municipal Council. He also created awareness among people about voting.

He was a Congress worker for five decades and had served KPCC in the capacities of member, the general secretary and the vice president.

Mittu Chengappa was also known as a coffee trader, an agriculturist and an entrepreneur in the tourism sector.

He was known for his close association with leaders like Indira Gandhi, S M Krishna and film artistes Rajnikanth and Vishnuvardhan, among others.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

The mortal remains will be kept at Gandhi Maidan for public homage on April 25 from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm. The last rites will be held in Madikeri, Kodagu District Congress Committee president Dharmaja Uttappa said.