Bengaluru,19 July

The Karnataka government on Sunday accorded full State Honours to the late Chennamma, wife of former prime minister HD Deve Gowda.  Chennamma passed away on 18 July and her last rites will be conducted at their native place in Hassan on Monday.

As a mark of respect, the government decided to conduct her last rites with full State Honours, with leaders across party lines paying tribute. Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister M Veerappa Moily expressed grief over her demise and extended condolences to the Gowda family.

“It is quite sad that our former Prime Minister’s wife, Chennamma, expired, and it is a big loss to the family. She has been a great inspiration to the family... The entire family has lost a mother,” Moily told ANI.

Leaders across the political spectrum on Sunday paid tributes to Chennamma, remembering her as the pillar of strength behind the Gowda family. BJP MP K Sudhakar expressed condolences to the bereaved family and said Chennamma played a crucial role in supporting Deve Gowda throughout his political journey.

Minister Ramalinga Reddy also condoled her demise and described her as a role model. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara and state Home Minister Priyank Kharge visited Gowda’s residence to pay their last respects and offered condolences to the bereaved family. Earlier, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy paid an emotional tribute to his mother, recalling her simplicity and unwavering support for the family and his father’s political career.