In a sad development in Karnataka politics, Minister for Municipal Administration CS Shivalli passed away on Friday afternoon in a private hospital in Hubbali after he had suffered a cardiac attack earlier in the day. He was 56. For the last three days, he was overseeing the rescue and relief operations from the site of Dharwad building collapse which had killed at least 15 people.
Congress MLA from Hubbali Dharwad East seat, Prasad Abbayya and former Congress Minister Vinay Kulkarni visited the hospital.
The veteran Congressman was a three-time MLA from Kundgol assembly constituency in Dharwad district and was a key aide to former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Shivalli was inducted into the cabinet in the second round of appointment of ministers after a mini-rebellion in the Congress in December 2018. Legislators from North Karnataka had alleged that they were not being represented enough. He was also reportedly approached by the BJP to jump ship.
Expressing shock, Siddaramaiah tweeted, “I have been shocked by the death of my friend, the longtime minister of the state, CS Shivalli. Shivalli was a humble, simple personality, and popular leader.”
ಸುದೀರ್ಘ ಕಾಲದ ನನ್ನ ಸ್ನೇಹಿತರಾದ ಪೌರಾಡಳಿತ ಸಚಿವ ಸಿ.ಎಸ್.ಶಿವಳ್ಳಿ ಅವರ ನಿಧನದಿಂದ ಆಘಾತಕ್ಕೀಡಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ಶಿವಳ್ಳಿ ಅವರು ಮೆಲುಮಾತಿನ,ಸರಳ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿತ್ವದ, ಜನಾನುರಾಗಿ ನಾಯಕರಾಗಿದ್ದರು.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) March 22, 2019
ಅವರ ಕುಟುಂಬದ ಸದಸ್ಯರು ಮತ್ತು ಅಭಿಮಾನಿಗಳ ದು:ಖದಲ್ಲಿ ನಾನೂ ಭಾಗಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ.@INCKarnataka pic.twitter.com/swXAWGNIqJ
Similarly, KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao termed his death as a “great loss for the Congress and for the Dharwad region”.
“Shocked to hear the sudden demise of our minister Sri CS Shivalli. A truly grassroots, son of the soil politician who served the people with great simplicity and commitment. A great loss for the Congress and for the Dharwad region,” he tweeted.
Eshwar Khandre, the KPCC Working President also sent out a message of condolence for the family of the deceased.
“It is very sad news coming from Hubbali, our Colleague MLA and minister CS Shivalli passed away. My heartfelt condolences to the CS #Shivalli family and followers may God give more strength to the family members to overcome this situation RIP sir,” he tweeted.