Mysuru :
Bringing an end to his more than three-decade long fiery stint in politics, former Minister M. Mahadev (77), popularly called as Benki Mahadev, passed away at BGS Apollo Hospital in Kuvempunagar here yesterday evening following a brief illness.
Born in 1938 at Hemmaragala Village in Nanjagud taluk, Mahadev represented Nanjangud Assembly constituency in 1983, 1989 and 1999. He was the Minister for Silk and Textiles in the S.M. Krishna Cabinet from 1999 to 2002 and Animal Husbandry Minister until 2004.
He leaves behind his wife Rajamma, son Vidya Alankar, three daughters Uma, Meena and Shanthala and a host of supporters and friends.
It may be recalled that Mahadev had been admitted at BGS Apollo Hospital on July 6 after he fell ill. Till 2004, Legislative Assembly election to Najangud constituency was curiously watched as it was the arena of arch rivals M. Mahadev and D.T. Jayakumar, better known as DTJ, who passed away a few years ago, for 15 years.
Mahadev, who began his political career under the leadership of Hejjige Linganna, was elected President of Taluk Agricultural Produces Co-Operative Marketing Society (TAPCMS) in 1973.
The body of the late Minister was taken to his residence in Basavanagudi Extension in Nanjangud on an Ambulance at about 11 pm, where a large number of his followers paid their last respects.
Those, who visited the family and paid their last respects to the departed Lingayat strongman were Union Minister Ananthakumar, former Minister V. Somanna, BJP Leader C.S. Niranjankumar, Congress leader and ex-MLC Prof. K.R. Mallikarjunappa, DC C. Shikha and SP Abhinav Khare.
He was ailing from kidney failure
Doctors at BGS Apollo Hospital on Adichunchanagiri Road in city, who officially declared former Minister Mahadev dead at about 4.30 pm yesterday, attributed his death to kidney failure and repeated strokes.
Neuro Surgeon Dr. Amir Moin, speaking to media persons after the body of Mahadev was shifted to Nanjangud, said that Mahadev, who was admitted to the hospital on July 6 following a stroke and kidney failure, suffered another stroke the following day.
On July 18, the former Minister suffered the third stroke following which his condition deteriorated, Dr. Moin said and added Minister breathed his last at 4 pm.
Supporters throng Hospital: Hundreds of supporters of Mahadev, who thronged the hospital after learning about his death gave a tough time to security staff who were hard pressed to keep the visitors at bay.
The ambulance carrying the mortal remains of the late Minister was stopped for a while to allow his supporters to have a last look of their leader.
Those who paid their last respects to Mahadev at the Hospital were former Minister M. Shivanna, K.P. Siddalingaswamy and City JD(S) President Rajanna.
New look for Temple Town: If the temple town of Nanjangud, which is also called Dakshina Kashi, wears a new look now, the credit would undoubtedly go to Mahadev as he was the one who laid the foundation for the overall development of Srikanteshwara Temple and its surroundings during his tenure as Minister from 1999 to 2004, said some senior citizens of the Temple Town.
The works launched by Mahadev included construction of dormitories, shopping complex, restoration of temple pond, river bank, parking lot among others, they added.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Wednesday – August 05th, 2015