Shivanand Koujalagi, Karnataka's former minister and MP, passes away

Shivanand Koujalagi, a seasoned political figure in Karnataka, has passed away. The former minister and MP had a long career spanning multiple terms in both state and national legislatures, establishing himself as a significant player in the state's political landscape.

Koujalagi initially made his mark as a loyalist of former chief minister Ramakrishna Hegde, during a period when Hegde's faction dominated Karnataka politics. However, following the split within the Janata Parivar parties, Koujalagi realigned his political allegiances, eventually joining the camp of H. D. Deve Gowda, another influential figure in the state's political history.

His political journey reflected the significant realignments and factional divisions that characterized Karnataka politics during the 1980s and 1990s. Throughout his career, Koujalagi represented various constituencies and held ministerial portfolios, contributing to policy discussions at both state and national levels.

The death of Koujalagi marks the passing of a generation of regional politicians who shaped Karnataka's political evolution during a transformative period in the state's history.