Narayanrao Manhalli, former MLA and BJP leader, died in Bidar on Wednesday. The 72-year-old leader leaves behind his wife, three sons and three daughters. He served as the president and vice-president of the District Central Cooperative Bank for over 30 years.
Political career
A leader with deep connections to the Jan Sangh, he became the first president of the BJP district unit when it was formed in 1980.
He was considered close to the old guard of the BJP including Atal Behari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani. He was known for maintaining cordial relationships with leaders across parties and religious groups.
He steered cleared of controversies. He remained friends with Muslim leaders from the Bidar old city, despite having sharp ideological differences with them. He lost his first election to the Assembly in 1982, but was elected in 1983.
He lost the 1985 by election, only to be elected again in 1989. He hailed from Maroor in Bhalki taluk, but settled in Manhalli in Bidar taluk. The final rites will be held in Manhalli on Thursday afternoon.
