Leaders Mourn Chennamma, the Quiet Pillar Behind Former PM H.D. Deve Gowda

After a protracted illness, Chennamma – the wife of former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) chief H.D. Deve Gowda – breathed her last. The news set off a wave of condolences that rippled through parties, states and even the prime minister’s office.

BJP MP K. Sudhakar was among the first to speak, describing her as "the pillar of strength" who stood by her husband through every political high and low. “Deve Gowda has devoted his life to public service,” Sudhakar said, “and while he was away, Chennamma kept the family grounded, ensuring the children were educated and cared for.”

Karnataka’s own leaders turned up at the Devegowda residence. Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara and Home Minister Priyank Kharge paid their respects in person, offering quiet words to a grieving family. Minister Ramalinga Reddy called her “a role model for simplicity and sacrifice,” noting that even in the limelight, she never lost touch with everyday values.

Perhaps the most personal tribute came from H.D. Kumaraswamy, who spoke with a tremor in his voice. “My mother was a very simple woman,” he recalled, “and her support let my father reach the highest echelons of power. Even when he was Prime Minister, her life remained modest. She fought bravely against illness for a year, and though doctors tried everything, destiny had its own plan.” Kumaraswamy added that the body would stay in Bengaluru for a day before being taken to the family village for cremation on Monday.

From New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a message that was both succinct and sincere: “Deeply pained by the passing of Chennamma, wife of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda. Her humility and dedication to society will be missed. My thoughts are with the Gowda family during this sorrowful time.”

Other senior figures echoed the sentiment. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called her “the quiet strength of the Gowda family,” while former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah remembered her as a “courageous pillar” who never wavered beside her husband’s political journey.

All told, the outpouring of grief painted a picture of a woman who, though rarely in the spotlight, shaped the very foundation of a political dynasty. As Karnataka mourns, the nation pauses to acknowledge a life lived in humble service.