Chennamma, Wife of Former PM Deve Gowda, Dies in Bengaluru

Chennamma, the wife of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, passed away at a hospital in Bengaluru on Thursday. She was 87. Hospital authorities confirmed that she was admitted to Manipal Hospital on Old Airport Road on Wednesday night and died the following morning. The cause of death was age-related illness. Chennamma was the matriarch of the prominent Gowda family in Karnataka politics. She was married to Deve Gowda, who served as Prime Minister of India from 1996 to 1997 and later as Chief Minister of Karnataka. The couple had four children, including former Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. Chennamma was known for her quiet support of her husband's political career and her involvement in social and charitable activities in the region. Her death has drawn condolences from political leaders across party lines. The family has announced that the last rites will be held later in the day in Bengaluru. Deve Gowda and other family members were by her side in her final moments. Chennamma's passing marks the end of an era for the Gowda family, which has been influential in Karnataka politics for decades.