CM Bhajan Lal condoles death of Deve Gowda's wife Chennamma
Synopsis
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma expressed grief over the passing of Chennamma Deve Gowda, wife of former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda, on 18 July 2026, praying for strength for the bereaved family and peace for the departed soul.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma posted a condolence message on 18 July 2026 for the family of former PM H.
Chennamma Deve Gowda , wife of the former Prime Minister, passed away, prompting national expressions of grief.
Deve Gowda served as Prime Minister of India from 1996 to 1997 and founded the Janata Dal (Secular) party.
CM Sharma prayed for the departed soul and for strength for Deve Gowda and all grieving family members.
The condolence reflects India's cross-party political tradition of paying respects to senior national figures and their families.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Saturday, 18 July 2026, expressed grief over the passing of Chennamma Deve Gowda, wife of former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda, conveying his condolences to the bereaved family through a post on X.
In his post, Sharma wrote: 'Poorva Pradhanmantri aadaraniya Shri H. D. Deve Gowda ji ki dharmapatni Shrimati Chennamma ji ke nidhan ka samachar dukkhad hai' — 'The news of the passing of Smt. Chennamma, respected wife of former Prime Minister Shri H. D. Deve Gowda, is deeply saddening.' He prayed that the departed soul find peace at the feet of God and that Deve Gowda and all grieving family members be granted the strength to bear this immense loss, concluding with 'Om Shanti'.
Context
Chennamma Deve Gowda was the spouse of H. D. Deve Gowda, who served as Prime Minister of India from 1996 to 1997 at the head of a United Front coalition government. Deve Gowda is also the founder of the Janata Dal (Secular) party and continues to be an influential political figure with a strong base in Karnataka. News of her passing drew expressions of sympathy from political leaders across party lines.
Policy Backdrop
India's political culture has a long-standing tradition of cross-party condolences when senior national figures or their immediate family members pass away. Such gestures are considered a mark of respect that transcends ideological differences, and leaders from parties ranging from the BJP to regional formations routinely participate in this practice. CM Sharma, who has led Rajasthan as a BJP Chief Minister since December 2023, extended this tradition in his message to the Deve Gowda family.
Stakeholders and Impact
The bereavement touches the Deve Gowda family directly, along with leaders and workers of the Janata Dal (Secular) and the broader political community in Karnataka. As a former Prime Minister, H. D. Deve Gowda commands national stature, and his personal loss is expected to draw condolence messages from chief ministers and senior leaders across the country. The outpouring reflects the regard in which the Deve Gowda family is held at the national level.
What's Next
Condolence messages from other chief ministers and national leaders are expected to follow in the coming hours. Attention will also turn to the arrangements for the last rites in Karnataka, where the Deve Gowda family is based. The episode underscores the enduring national stature of H. D. Deve Gowda even decades after his tenure as Prime Minister.
Point of View
Where even ideological rivals acknowledge personal losses of veteran national figures. The gesture carries added weight given that Deve Gowda leads the Janata Dal (Secular), a party that has at times been in political competition with the BJP in Karnataka. Such outreach by a sitting BJP chief minister signals the national stature that Deve Gowda commands irrespective of party alignments. It also fits a broader pattern of BJP leaders cultivating goodwill with regional stalwarts ahead of evolving coalition dynamics.
NationPress
19 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Chennamma Deve Gowda?
Chennamma Deve Gowda was the wife of former Prime Minister of India H. D. Deve Gowda, who led the country from 1996 to 1997 and founded the Janata Dal (Secular) party.
Why did Bhajan Lal Sharma post a condolence message?
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma posted the message to express grief over the passing of Chennamma Deve Gowda and to convey his sympathies to former PM H. D. Deve Gowda and his family.
Who is H. D. Deve Gowda?
H. D. Deve Gowda is a veteran Indian politician who served as Prime Minister of India from 1996 to 1997 and is the founder of the Janata Dal (Secular) party, with his primary political base in Karnataka.
What did Bhajan Lal Sharma say in his condolence post?
Sharma said the news of Smt. Chennamma's passing was deeply saddening, prayed for the departed soul to find peace, and asked God to grant Deve Gowda and the grieving family the strength to bear the immense loss.
Is it common for BJP leaders to condole deaths in opposition party families?
Yes, cross-party condolences are a long-standing tradition in Indian politics. Senior leaders routinely express sympathy on the personal bereavements of veteran national figures regardless of party affiliation.
