PM Modi condoles Chennamma's death, calls Deve Gowda to offer comfort
Synopsis
Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda's wife Chennamma passed away at 85 on Saturday, prompting PM Modi to personally call Gowda with condolences — a rare cross-party gesture that reflects the enduring stature of the Gowda family in Indian politics.
Key Takeaways
Chennamma , wife of former Prime Minister H.D.
Deve Gowda , passed away on Saturday, 18 July at the age of 85 .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a formal condolence message and later telephoned Deve Gowda personally to offer comfort.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi described Chennamma as 'an ideal homemaker and an embodiment of simplicity' .
BJP Karnataka in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agrawal and Co-in-charge Sudhakar Reddy also paid tribute, calling her a symbol of strength and dignity.
Tributes came from leaders across party lines, reflecting the non-partisan regard for the Gowda family .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 18 July expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Chennamma, wife of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, and reached out personally to the grieving family. Chennamma passed away at the age of 85, drawing condolences from political leaders across party lines.
PM Modi's Personal Outreach
In a formal condolence message, Modi remembered Chennamma for her humility and unwavering commitment to social service, describing her as a figure respected for her simplicity and dedication. Later in the day, the Prime Minister telephoned Deve Gowda directly to offer personal words of comfort and pray for the family's strength — an act that underscored the cross-party regard in which the Gowda family is held.
Tributes From BJP Leaders
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, who holds the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution portfolio, described Chennamma as 'an ideal homemaker and an embodiment of simplicity', adding that she had been a source of strength to the Deve Gowda family and an inspiring figure for Karnataka.
Radha Mohan Das Agrawal, BJP's Karnataka in-charge and Rajya Sabha member, said Chennamma 'symbolised simplicity, strength, and unwavering support' for her family, noting that her life of sacrifice and values would endure in memory. BJP State Co-in-charge Sudhakar Reddy described her as 'a woman of dignity and quiet strength' who stood steadfastly beside Deve Gowda throughout his decades-long public life.
Who Was Chennamma
Chennamma was the life partner of H.D. Deve Gowda, who served as India's 11th Prime Minister from 1996 to 1997 and remains a towering figure in Karnataka's Janata Dal (Secular) politics. Those who knew her described her as the quiet anchor behind one of the country's most prominent political families, rarely in the spotlight but consistently present through Gowda's long career in public service.
Condolences Across Party Lines
The breadth of tributes — spanning the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre and regional leaders — reflected the non-partisan respect Chennamma commanded. Her passing at 85 marks the end of an era for the Gowda family, which continues to be a significant force in Karnataka and national coalition politics through the Janata Dal (Secular).
The family is yet to announce funeral arrangements as of Saturday evening.
Point of View
Not merely a written statement — is politically telling. The BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular) have had a complex, at times adversarial, relationship in Karnataka, yet the gesture signals a deliberate effort to maintain civility with a family that still commands significant electoral weight in the state. Chennamma's passing is being mourned publicly by the ruling party in a way that few opposition-aligned figures receive, which speaks to the peculiar dynamics of coalition-era politics where today's rival can be tomorrow's ally.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did PM Modi respond to Chennamma's passing?
PM Modi issued a formal condolence message praising Chennamma's humility and commitment to social service, and later personally telephoned Deve Gowda to offer comfort and pray for the family's strength.
Which other leaders paid tribute to Chennamma?
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, BJP Karnataka in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agrawal, and BJP State Co-in-charge Sudhakar Reddy all paid tribute, describing her as an embodiment of simplicity, strength, and dignity.
Who is H.D. Deve Gowda?
H.D. Deve Gowda served as India's 11th Prime Minister from 1996 to 1997 and remains a central figure in Karnataka politics through the Janata Dal (Secular) party, which his family continues to lead.
Why did condolences come from across party lines?
Chennamma was respected beyond her family's political circle for her simplicity and quiet support through decades of public life. Leaders from the ruling BJP and other parties paid tribute, reflecting the broad regard for the Gowda family in Indian politics.
