JOIN USJD(S) leader H D Deve Gowda on Wednesday met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and offered his condolences on the death of the latter’s son.
Owing to ill-health, Gowda was unable to make it to Rakesh Siddaramaiah’s funeral in Mysuru on August 1. He had conveyed his condolences to the chief minister through a letter on the day of Rakesh’s death and had later spoken to him over phone.
Gowda was personally received by Siddaramaiah at the latter’s official residence, ‘Cauvery.’ He spent around 45 minutes with Siddaramaiah. For most part of the meeting, Siddaramaiah is learnt to have remained silent, while Gowda cited instances of eventualities, quoting the Mahabharata. Siddaramaiah, however, enquired about Gowda’s health and asked him to take care of himself.
Speaking to reporters, Gowda said that he had tried his best to console Siddaramaiah. “I asked him to cope with the grief by engaging himself in philosophy and spirituality. I have also spoken to Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvathi, who is trying to cope with her grief. I am deeply pained by the untimely death of Rakesh. I can understand Siddaramaiah’s pain and anguish.”
Noting that he had known Siddaramaiah for several years, he said, “We are old friends. We have also worked together. How is it possible for the both of us not to get emotional when we see each other under such circumstances?”