In what has sent shockwaves across the state of Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son Rakesh has been declared dead in Belgium.
Rakesh (39) had been suffering from a pancreatic ailment. The Chief Minister's office said that he died of multiple organ failure. He had been admitted to the Antwerp University Hospital in Brussels on Tuesday and was in a critical condition.
Siddaramaiah and his family are likely to bring Rakesh’ body back to India on Sunday evening to Bengaluru. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly requested the Indian Ambassador to Belgium to assist Siddaramaiah’s family in carrying out the legal formalities in bringing the body back to India.
The funeral will be conducted in Mysuru on Monday.
JD(S) MLA GT Deve Gowda told Tv9 Kannada that Rakesh had had a love marriage and that it had caused a rift with his parents. However, Siddaramaiah and his wife Parvathi soon came around. Rakesh is survived by his wife and two kids.
Earlier this month, Rakesh had reiterated that he would not enter politics as long as his father was active, and that he would contest elections only when his father permitted it. “My father is my political guru. I am what I am today because of him. I will not enter politics as long as my father is in politics. I don’t want this to become a part of father-and-sons (a dig at the JDS). While my father is in politics, I will struggle for farmers, for the downtrodden and Dalits.”
After learning of his son’s illness, Siddaramaiah is said to have been in touch with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. He told reporters on Wednesday that his son was “critical but stable” and that he would leave for Belgium the following day. The official Twitter handle of the CM had also tweeted that day:
CM Siddaramaiah's son Rakesh had fell ill while touring in Belgium. Hospitalized& getting better. CM's family is in touch with the doctors.
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) July 27, 2016
Siddaramaiah’s younger son Yahtindra, his wife and their family doctor had left ahead of the CM himself.
Rakesh was reportedly on a tour of France and Brussels with his friends when he developed the medical complications from a previous illness, owing to an accident he had been in 15 years ago. He had embarked on the tour early last week.
Siddaramaiah had political ambitions for Rakesh, who was slated to contest from the CM’s constituency of Varuna in Mysuru district, after the latter quit politics. He has often suggested that he would retire from politics after his tenure as Chief Minister.
After his birthday in July 2015, Rakesh had said that Siddaramaiah had clearly told him that he could not contest elections while his father was active in politics.
“My father has told me clearly that I should stay away from politics till he is active. I don't want Congress to be called as a dynastic party in Karnataka. I will become active in politics only after my father retires from this field,” he was quoted as saying by India Today.
Later in December, Siddaramaiah made similar remarks. He had said that his son would not contest elections until he himself quit politics for good.
He is reported to have told his friends recently that he would contest from the Varuna constituency in the 2018 state polls.
Rakesh is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
Condolences
Condolences poured in for the Chief Minister’s family, from people across the country, including politicians cutting across party lines.
I join every Kannadiga in praying for the Departed Soul of Shri Rakesh Siddaramaiah. My thoughts go out for @CMofKarnataka & His Family
— C.T.Ravi (@CTRavi_BJP) July 30, 2016
Heard the shocking news of demise of Rakesh Siddaramaiah. Deepest condolences to Sri Siddaramaiah and other family members.@CMofKarnataka
— B.S. Yeddyurappa (@BSYBJP) July 30, 2016
I am saddened to hear abt the demise of Rakesh Siddaramaiah my deepest condolences to CM & his Family in overcoming this personal tragedy.
— Jagadish Shettar (@JagadishShettar) July 30, 2016
The demise of Rakesh Siddaramaiah is deeply saddening. Deepest condolences to our CM Siddaramaiah & his family members.
— DK Shivakumar INC (@withDKS) July 30, 2016
Rakesh siddaramaiah passed away. Deepest condolences to Sri Siddaramaiah and other family members.may his soulRest in peace .
— sushan (@sushan89) July 30, 2016
@cmofkarnataka sad news for the state. Unfortunate death of Shri Rakesh Siddaramaiah. Let his soul be in peace #RIP
— Nikhil Kedambadi (@NikhilKedambadi) July 30, 2016
My thoughts are with Siddaramaiah ji & his family on the demise of his son. May God give the family strength to bear the irreparable loss.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 30, 2016
(With PTI inputs)
(This is a developing story)