Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda’s wife Chennamma dies at 85

Bengaluru, July 18: Chennamma, wife of former prime minister and Janata Dal (Secular) patriarch H D Deve Gowda, passed away on Friday evening at the age of 85 after battling age-related ailments and respiratory complications.

She breathed her last at around 4.30 pm at Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru, where she had been undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) since July 15.

Chennamma's health had reportedly deteriorated due to breathing difficulties, prompting her admission to hospital. She was being treated by senior physician Dr Satyanarayana and had remained in the ICU for four days. Despite intensive medical care, she suffered a cardiac arrest and could not be revived.

News of her demise drew political leaders, relatives and well-wishers to Manipal Hospital to pay their last respects. With a large number of Janata Dal (Secular) workers also expected to gather, police tightened security around the hospital premises as a precautionary measure. Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh visited the hospital to review the security arrangements.

Born in Muttige Hirehalli village in Hassan taluk, Chennamma married H D Deve Gowda on May 25, 1954. The couple had six children —H D Revanna, H D Balakrishna, H D Ramesh Gowda, H D Kumaraswamy, Shylaja and Anasuya.

Although she largely remained away from public life, Chennamma was widely regarded as the backbone of Deve Gowda's political journey. While he devoted himself to public service and politics, she managed the family and household, raising their six children and overseeing their education. Her quiet strength and unwavering support earned her a reputation as a devoted homemaker and steadfast partner throughout Deve Gowda's long political career.

Chennamma had survived a shocking acid attack in February 2001. She was returning after offering prayers at a temple in Haradanahalli when unidentified assailants attacked her with acid, leaving her seriously injured. She later recovered following medical treatment.

The eldest daughter of Deve Gowda and Kalamma, Chennamma had completed her SSLC education at a time when girls' education beyond school was uncommon in rural Karnataka. As the eldest sibling, she assumed a motherly role in caring for her four younger brothers and three sisters from an early age.