Former Karnataka Chief Minister S R Bommai died

Bangalore, Oct 10 (UNI) Former Karnataka Chief Minister S R Bommai died tonight in a private hospital after a prolonged illness.

He was 83. He was survived by two daughters and two sons including Mr Basavaraj Bommai, MLC.

Born on June 6-1924 at Karadgi in Shigaon Taluk of Dharawad District, Mr Bommai was Chief Minister 13 August 1988 to April 21-1989. Dissolution of his government in 1989 under Article 356 of the Constitution and Supreme Court terming the dissolution as unconstitutional was still a landmark decision.

An Advocate by profession, Mr Bommai had also served as Minister for Revenue and Planning and Finance in the Ramakrishna Hegde and H D Deve Gowda Ministry.

A freedom fighter, Mr Bommai was Member of M N Roy's Radical Democratic Party. He was member of Legislative Council in 1972 from Dharawad Local Authorities Constitutiency. He was also Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council and Assembly.

Mr Bommai had also served as Union Minister for Human Resource Development during Mr Gowda's regim.

Former Minister Ramesh Jigjinigi, Opposition Leader in the legislative Council H K Patil, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President Masllikarjun Kharge, former Prime Minister and Janata Dal National President H D Deve Gowda have condoled death of Mr S R Bommai.

UNI