VETERAN politician and former Minister D B Chandre Gowda, who vacated his Lok Sabha seat for former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi that allowed her to stage a political comeback post Emergency in 1978, passed away at his residence in Daradahalli in Mudigere taluk in the district, during the early hours of Tuesday, due to age-related ailments. The 87-year-old is survived by his wife and four daughters. His mortal remains will be kept at Adyanthaya Rangamandira in Mudigere for his followers and well-wishers to pay homage till Tuesday evening, and the last rites are likely to be performed at his native Daradahalli on Wednesday.

 

Gowda, who had represented all the four Houses -- Legislative Assembly, Council, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, was also part of various political parties such as -- Praja Socialist Party, Karnataka Kranti Ranga, Janata Party, Janata Dal, Congress and BJP. He was in the limelight when he resigned as Lok Sabha member in 1978 to make way for former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to contest from the Chikkamagaluru Constituency, and worked for her victory. Indira Gandhi, routed in the post-Emergency general elections in 1977 and thrown out of office, had successfully contested Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha by-election in 1978, which was considered a “turning point” for her.