CM Shivakumar mourns passing of veteran leader Shivanand Koujalgi
Synopsis
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has condoled the death of Shivanand Koujalgi — three-time Bailahongal MLA, former Belagavi MP, ex-minister, and KLE Institution president — describing the loss as irreplaceable for the state's political and social circles.
Key Takeaways
Shivanand Koujalgi , veteran politician and former minister, has passed away, prompting an official condolence from Karnataka CM D.K.
Koujalgi served as MLA from Bailahongal constituency three times and as MP from the Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency .
He served as president of the KLE Institution , one of north Karnataka's most prominent educational organisations.
His son, Mahantesh Koujalgi , is the sitting Congress MLA from Bailahongal .
CM Shivakumar described the passing as an 'irreplaceable loss' for political and social circles who knew him closely.
A towering figure in north Karnataka's political and educational landscape has passed away. Shivanand Koujalgi — three-time MLA from Bailahongal, former Member of Parliament from Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency, ex-minister, and president of the KLE Institution — is no more, drawing a heartfelt condolence from the state's highest office on Friday, 30 October 2026.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, through the official Chief Minister's Office account, expressed deep grief at the news. 'ತೀವ್ರ ದುಃಖವಾಗಿದೆ' ('I am deeply saddened'), he wrote, before going on to enumerate the breadth of Koujalgi's service to the state — a measure of how significant the loss is felt across the political spectrum.
Three terms in Bailahongal, one in Parliament, a cabinet berth
Shinvanand Koujalgi's career was a study in sustained public service across institutional tiers. He won the Bailahongal assembly constituency three times, earning a reputation as one of the region's most dependable legislators. He then carried that mandate to New Delhi, winning the Belagavi Lok Sabha seat — a constituency that historically commands outsized political attention in Karnataka. A ministerial stint further cemented his standing, with Chief Minister Shivakumar noting that he rendered 'immense service to the state's development.'The KLE connection: a legacy beyond the legislature
Perhaps as enduring as his political record was Koujalgi's stewardship of the KLE Institution, one of north Karnataka's most prominent educational organisations. Serving as its president, he channelled decades of public-sector experience into expanding access to education and strengthening cooperative networks — domains that outlast any single election cycle. The Chief Minister's tribute specifically highlighted his 'distinct imprint in education, cooperation and social service,' signalling how deeply institutional his contribution was.A family's grief, a constituency's loss
Shivanand Koujalgi is survived by his son, Mahantesh Koujalgi, the sitting Congress MLA from Bailahongal — meaning the family's connection to the constituency endures even as its patriarch is mourned. CM Shivakumar described the passing as 'an irreplaceable loss not just for the family but for all in political and social circles who knew him closely,' and prayed that God give the Koujalgi family, relatives, admirers, and well-wishers the strength to bear the grief. He closed with 'ಓಂ ಶಾಂತಿ' — Om Shanti. For Bailahongal, a seat that has known the Koujalgi name across generations, the silence left behind is anything but ordinary.Point of View
The family's political continuity ensures the constituency remains a live variable in state Congress calculations. The tribute's emphasis on Koujalgi's educational and cooperative sector contributions reflects a broader pattern in Karnataka politics, where control of institutions like KLE often carries as much strategic weight as electoral victories. How the Congress consolidates its north Karnataka base in the coming months will be worth watching.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Shivanand Koujalgi?
Shivanand Koujalgi was a veteran Karnataka politician who served as a three-time MLA from Bailahongal, MP from Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency, a state cabinet minister, and president of the KLE Institution.
Who is Mahantesh Koujalgi?
Mahantesh Koujalgi is the Congress MLA from Bailahongal constituency and the son of the late Shivanand Koujalgi.
Why did CM Shivakumar issue a condolence for Shivanand Koujalgi?
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar issued an official condolence acknowledging Shivanand Koujalgi's decades of service as a legislator, parliamentarian, minister, and educator, describing the loss as irreplaceable for the state.
What is the KLE Institution?
The KLE Institution is one of north Karnataka's most prominent educational organisations, of which Shivanand Koujalgi served as president, contributing significantly to expanding education and cooperative networks in the region.
Which constituency did Shivanand Koujalgi represent?
Shivanand Koujalgi represented the Bailahongal assembly constituency three times as MLA and also won the Belagavi Lok Sabha seat as a Member of Parliament.
