Bengaluru, 25 Feb

Congress MLA from Yadgir district, Shorapur constituency, Raja Venkatappa Naik died on Sunday following a heart attack. He was 67 and was admitted to Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru.

Naik was a four-time MLA. In the 2023 elections, he won by securing 1,13,559 votes against BJP’s Raju Gouda. However, he was not given any portfolio in the State cabinet. He was appointed as the President of State Warehousing Corporation and had just taken charge a few days ago.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his condolences on X. “Deeply saddened to hear of the demise of MLA from Shorapur and my long time political comrade Raja Venkatappa Naik. I met him three days ago and inquired about his health. The passing away of a philanthropic personality is an irreplaceable loss both personally and politically," the CM said. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar posted, “I am deeply saddened to learn about the death of Raja Venkatappa Naik, MLA of Shorapur Constituency. His death is an unbearable loss to the party.”

Former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy said, “I am saddened to hear the news of the demise of Raja Venkatappa Naik. His death is a great loss to the politics of the state. He is one of the important leaders of the Kalyana Karnataka section.”

Naik was in the hospital for the last four days. To vote in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, the government had also given him permission to arrive in the ambulance and vote with his son's help.

BJP State President BY Vijayendra also posted: “A healthy democratic system has lost a good representative. He was an active and a friendly person who got along with everyone in the assembly house. May God bless his family members with strength to bear the pain of his passing away. May his soul rest in peace.”

AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge said, “Raja Venkatappa Naik was a popular leader. He recently took charge as the President of State Warehousing Corporation. He was a cheerful person and had a cordial relationship with everyone. He was also a very good friend of mine. His demise has created a huge void to all the Congress workers. I hope the family is blessed with enough strength to bear the loss and may his soul rest in peace.”

Siddaramaiah informed that the assembly session on Monday has been postponed as a mark of respect. As the Rajya Sabha polls are on Tuesday, the session has been scheduled to Wednesday, said Siddaramaiah. Salar News