Date:12/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/12/stories/2007101251260300.htm

Karnataka

People pay homage to Bommai

Staff Correspondent

He was kept outside the SDM Dental College
The final rites will be performed in Hubli on Friday

Chitradurga: Hundreds of people paid their last respects to the former Chief Minister S.R. Bommai, who died on Wednesday, following a prolonged illness.

He was 84.

His body was brought here in an ambulance on Thursday and kept outside the SDM Dental College for a brief period before it was taken to Hubli where the final rites will be performed on Friday.

Hundreds of people, including several prominent leaders, had gathered outside the college to pay homage to the departed soul.

State president of the Janata Dal (United) B. Somashekar, who was present, described the veteran leader as a visionary and a socialist.

He said that Mr. Bommai had played a key role in forming the first non-Congress Government in the State.

Efforts

“It was his because of his efforts that the Janata Party gained strong roots in north India,” said Mr. Somashekar.

In his condolence massage, the former Minister H. Ekanthaiah described Mr. Bommai as a person who upheld secular principles throughout his life.

‘Great loss’

Mr. Bommai was one among the few political leaders who never compromised on principles or ideology.

“His death is a great loss to the State. In his death, we have lost a great visionary and an honest leader,” he observed.

Tribute

Among those who paid tribute to Mr. Bommai were H. Anjaneya, MLA; B.T. Chennabasappa, MLC; D. Sudhakar, MLA; and Janata Dal (Secular) leader S. K. Basavarajan.