Harihar: Former minister Y Nagappa breathed his last at a private hospital here on Tuesday, October 27, after a brief illness. He was 87.
The body of the three-time MLA from Harihar was kept for public viewing in the private hospital, located on Shivamogga Road, where elected representatives like MP G M Siddeshwara, Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Minister K S Eshwarappa, MLAs S Ramappa and S A Raveendranath, MLC Y Narayana Swamy, and former minister S S Mallikarjun paid their respects. Kanaka Peetha Seer Niranjananandapuri Swamiji, Hosadurga peetha seer Eshwaranandapuri Swamiji, and members of the general public also paid their respects to the deceased leader.
His last rites were performed at his farmland on the banks of the Tungabhadra river at 6 PM on Tuesday.
Before entering politics, Nagappa served as a doctor. As a politician, he also served as social welfare minister during the Dharam Singh-led coalition government and also was the chairman of the Karnataka State Small Industries Development Corporation. The Congress leader was elected MLA from Harihar thrice in 1989, 1999, and 2004.
Hailing from a pailwan family, Nagappa participated in several traditional wrestling competitions and even won medals during Dasara competitions. In inter-university traditional wrestling contests, Nagappa also represented the University of Mysore.
Nagappa is survived by his wife, son, and three daughters.
