न्यूज़व्यूज़पोस्ट
Shivanand Hemanand Koujalagi, a former minister in Karnataka and ex‑Member of Parliament, died on October 30, 2026 in Bailhongal, Belagavi district, at the age of 87.
Political career and family background
Koujalagi belonged to one of northern Karnataka’s longest‑serving political families. He entered the state cabinet of former chief minister H. D. Deve Gowda in 1994, overseeing the Public Works Department. Two years later, he secured a Lok Sabha seat as a Janata Dal candidate in the 1996 general election.
His father, Hemanand (Hemappa) V. Koujalagi, had represented the Congress in the Lok Sabha in 1963, while his son, Mahantesh Koujalagi, currently serves as the Congress MLA from Bailhongal.
Roles beyond elected office
Beyond legislative duties, Koujalagi was president of the KLE Society in Belagavi, an educational institution, a position he held until recently before his son succeeded him. He was known for his loyalty to former chief minister Ramakrishna Hegde and later aligned with Deve Gowda after the Janata Parivar split.
Colleagues described him as a gentleman politician who avoided heated rhetoric, personal vendettas, and public displays of wealth. His contributions to education, cooperative movements, and social service were highlighted by family and associates.
Funeral arrangements
The final rites are scheduled for noon on October 30 at the Lingayat burial ground on Anigol Road in Bailhongal. Senior leaders from Belagavi and a minister from Bengaluru are expected to attend.
Source: India Latest News: Top National Headlines Today & Breaking News | The Hindu
Featured image: representational, AI generated.
