Rahul Gandhi pays last respects to AICC Secretary Suraj Hegde in Bengaluru
Synopsis
Rahul Gandhi flew to Bengaluru to personally pay last respects to AICC Secretary Suraj Hegde, 55, who died of a cardiac arrest. Hegde — grandson of land-reform icon D. Devaraj Urs — was a key Youth Congress mentor. The visit drew Karnataka's entire top Congress leadership to the airport, signalling how deeply his loss has been felt within the party.
Key Takeaways
Rahul Gandhi visited Bengaluru on 9 June to pay last respects to AICC Secretary Suraj Hegde at his residence.
Suraj Hegde , 55 , died of a cardiac arrest late Sunday night in Bengaluru.
He served as AICC Secretary , Vice President of the State Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee , and former in-charge of the Indian Youth Congress .
Hegde was the grandson of late Karnataka leader D.
Devaraj Urs , known for the 'land for the tiller' reform.
Shivakumar , Deputy CM G.
Parameshwara , and former CM Siddaramaiah received Gandhi at Kempegowda International Airport .
AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge , Priyanka Gandhi Vadra , and senior Karnataka leaders all expressed condolences.
Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi arrived in Bengaluru on Tuesday, 9 June to pay his last respects to All India Congress Committee (AICC) Secretary Suraj Hegde at his residence. Gandhi subsequently met and consoled Hegde's bereaved family members, in a visit that brought together the Congress party's top leadership in Karnataka.
A Leader Mourned Across the Party
Suraj Hegde, 55, passed away late Sunday night in Bengaluru following a cardiac arrest. He served as AICC Secretary and Vice President of the State Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee, and had previously served as in-charge of the Indian Youth Congress as well as the party's organisational affairs in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. His death has been described across party ranks as an irreparable loss.
Senior Leaders Receive Gandhi at Airport
Gandhi was received at Kempegowda International Airport by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah — a rare convergence of Karnataka's top Congress leadership underscoring the weight of the occasion.
What the Congress Leadership Said
Expressing his condolences on X, Gandhi wrote: 'Deeply saddened by the passing of Suraj Hegde ji. As AICC Secretary and Former In-Charge of the Indian Youth Congress, he worked with a deep belief in the party's ideals. The Youth Congress was not just an assignment for him. He mentored young Indians who today carry forward the Congress's commitment to justice and democracy. His demise is an irreparable loss to the Congress family. My condolences to his family, his colleagues, and every Congress karyakarta whose life he touched.'
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said: 'The passing away of Suraj Hegde ji is a great loss to all of us in the Congress family. He worked tirelessly to strengthen the organisation and mentor young leaders. We will all remember him with affection, respect and gratitude. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones.'
AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge stated he was 'deeply shocked and saddened' by the loss, adding that Hegde was 'very close to my family' and that he had known him since his teenage years. Kharge described watching Hegde grow into a committed leader as 'truly heartening' and called his passing an irreparable loss.
Chief Minister Shivakumar said he was 'deeply shocked' by the sudden news, noting it was difficult to believe that a young leader had passed away at such an early age.
The Legacy of Devaraj Urs
Hegde carried a significant political lineage — he was the grandson of the late D. Devaraj Urs, the revered Karnataka leader credited with effectively implementing the landmark 'land for the tiller' land reform policy in the state. That legacy, combined with his own organisational contributions to the Youth Congress, made Hegde a figure of considerable standing within the party.
What Comes Next
The Congress party is expected to observe a period of mourning, with tributes continuing to pour in from party workers and leaders across Karnataka and nationally. Hegde's contributions to youth leadership development within the Congress will likely shape how the party commemorates his passing in the days ahead.
Point of View
Managed state in-charge duties, and mentored cadres. The outpouring from Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in quick succession signals that his institutional role was far larger than his public profile. The Congress, already stretched thin on organisational talent in several states, can ill afford to lose figures of this calibre. The real question is whether the party has a pipeline of similarly committed mid-level leaders ready to step into such roles.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Suraj Hegde and what was his role in the Congress party?
Suraj Hegde, 55, was an AICC Secretary and Vice President of the State Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee. He was also a former in-charge of the Indian Youth Congress and had overseen the party's organisational affairs in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
How did Suraj Hegde die?
Suraj Hegde passed away late Sunday night, 8 June, in Bengaluru following a cardiac arrest. He was 55 years old at the time of his death.
Why did Rahul Gandhi visit Bengaluru on 9 June?
Rahul Gandhi flew to Bengaluru to personally pay his last respects to AICC Secretary Suraj Hegde at his residence and to meet and console Hegde's bereaved family members.
What is Suraj Hegde's connection to D. Devaraj Urs?
Suraj Hegde was the grandson of the late D. Devaraj Urs, the revered Karnataka leader who effectively implemented the landmark 'land for the tiller' land reform policy in the state. Hegde was seen as carrying forward that political legacy within the Congress.
Which senior leaders received Rahul Gandhi in Bengaluru?
Rahul Gandhi was received at Kempegowda International Airport by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
