KPCC working president R Dhruvanarayana laid to rest with full state honours

Team Udayavani, Mar 12, 2023, 6:35 PM IST

Chamarajanagar district in Karnataka witnessed an emotional funeral procession on Sunday as the mortal remains of R Dhruvanarayana, the working president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) and former MP, were laid to rest with full state honours at his native village Heggavadi. Dhruvanarayana passed away suddenly on Saturday, leaving behind a legion of supporters and admirers.

The procession carrying Dhruvanarayana’s body reached the village around 1:30 pm, where a police band played the national anthem in honour of the departed leader. The district administration, represented by Additional Deputy Commissioner Katyayini Devi and Superintendent of Police Padmini Sahu, offered floral tributes while a two-minute silence was observed. The body was then lowered into the grave and buried.

Several prominent Congress leaders, including the party’s Karnataka unit president DK Shivakumar, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, working presidents Satish Jarkiholi and Saleem Ahmed, MP D K Suresh, and former Deputy CM Dr G Parameshwara, among others, were present at the funeral.

The news of Dhruvanarayana’s death had brought thousands of party workers and fans to his home, where his body was kept for the last rites. The mourners, including women, children, and elderly citizens, paid their last respects to their beloved leader throughout the night and into the following day. The emotional scenes at the funeral saw many activists and fans crying and shouting slogans in honour of Dhruvanarayana.

DK Shivakumar, who had arrived in Mysuru from Bengaluru upon hearing the news of Dhruvanarayana’s death, was seen sobbing uncontrollably in front of his colleague’s body. As the funeral proceeded, Shivakumar placed the Congress flag on Dhruvanarayana’s body and stood in silence, unable to contain his grief.

The death of R Dhruvanarayana has left a void in the Congress party and the political landscape of Karnataka.