Former Karnataka Minister Shivanand Koujalagi Passes Away at 87

Former Karnataka minister and Lok Sabha member Shivanand Hemanand Koujalagi died at the age of 87 in Bailhongal, Belagavi district, on October 30, 2026. He belonged to a prominent political family in northern Karnataka, as his father Hemanand V. Koujalagi had served as a Lok Sabha member of the Congress. Shivanand Koujalagi served as the Public Works Department minister in H. D. Deve Gowda's cabinet in 1994 and won election to the Lok Sabha in 1996 as a Janata Dal candidate.

Political Journey And Legacy

He started his political career as a loyalist of former chief minister Ramakrishna Hegde and moved to H. D. Deve Gowda's camp after the Janata Parivar split. He also led the KLE society in Belagavi as president until recently, when his son took over the role. His son Mahantesh Koujalagi is currently the Congress MLA representing Bailhongal. Long-time associate Ashok Chandaragi described him as a gentleman politician who stayed away from vindictive politics and rough language.

Final Rites

Mahantesh Koujalagi shared news of his father's death on social media to honor his life and service to education and society. Final rites are scheduled for October 30 noon at the Lingayat burial ground on Anigol Road in Bailhongal, with local leaders and a senior minister from Bengaluru expected to attend.

Context

Political families in India often span multiple generations across different parties due to changing alliances and regional realignments. Leaders from the Janata Parivar tradition played a significant role in Karnataka politics during the final decades of the twentieth century.