The Congress MLA from Jamkhandi and former Union Minster, Siddu Nyamgouda, died in a road accident early morning on Monday. He was 68.
The MLA was travelling in his car along with friends when it hit a divider in Kaladgi village around 5 a.m. Sources said that he had arrived from Delhi to Goa and was coming back to Jamkhandi by road.
Mr. Nyamgouda, who is known as a farmers’ leader, shot to fame by constructing a barrage at Chikkapadasalgi in Jamkhandi with the help of the people. The barrage is still considered a lifeline for sugarcane farmers of Jamkhandi and Athani of Belagavi district.
He also has the reputation of defeating former Chief Minister Ramkrishna Hegde, who had contested as MP from Bagalkot. Considering the popularity of Mr. Nyamgouda, the then Chief Minster S. Bangarappa fielded him against Mr. Hegde. Despite it being his first electoral contest, he defeated the political veteran. Mr. Nyamgouda, who won again in the Assembly election this time, apparently had a good chance of becoming a Minister in the coalition government.
Following his death, the Bagalkot BJP district unit has withdrawn a bandh in the district to pay homage to the departed leader. Several leaders including former Minister Umashree has condoled the death.
