Rijiju condoles demise of former PM Devegowda's wife
Synopsis
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju mourned the passing of Smt. Chennamma, wife of former PM H.D. Devegowda and mother of Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, offering condolences and invoking Om Shanti. The message reflects cross-party respect for one of Karnataka's most prominent political families.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed condolences on the passing of Smt.
Chennamma on 19 July 2026 .
Chennamma was the wife of former Prime Minister H.D.
Devegowda , who led India as its 11th PM from 1996 to 1997 .
She was also the mother of Union Minister H.D.
Kumaraswamy , former Chief Minister of Karnataka .
Rijiju described her life as one of 'grace, humility and resilience' and closed with the invocation ॐ शांति .
The message reflects the established tradition of cross-party condolences for families of former prime ministers in Indian politics.
Formal tributes in Parliament's ongoing monsoon session are being watched by political observers.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday, 19 July 2026, expressed deep grief over the passing of Smt. Chennamma, wife of former Prime Minister H.D. Devegowda and mother of Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, extending condolences to the bereaved family.
Context
Rijiju took to social media to mourn the loss, describing Smt. Chennamma as a figure whose 'life reflected grace, humility and resilience.' He offered his 'sincere condolences to the entire family' and prayed that they 'find strength and solace in this difficult hour,' signing off with the Sanskrit invocation ॐ शांति (Om Shanti — may her soul rest in peace).
Smt. Chennamma was the life partner of H.D. Devegowda, who served as India's 11th Prime Minister from 1996 to 1997 and remains the patriarch of one of Karnataka's most prominent political families. Her passing marks the loss of a figure who stood at the centre of that family through decades of public life.
Policy Backdrop
H.D. Devegowda founded the Janata Dal (Secular), a Karnataka-centric regional party that has been a key player in the state's coalition politics for over two decades. His son, H.D. Kumaraswamy, served as Chief Minister of Karnataka on two occasions and has held the position of Union Minister at the Centre, making the Devegowda family one of the most consequential political dynasties in southern India.
The BJP and JD(S) have shared a complex political relationship in Karnataka, including a formal alliance in recent years. Rijiju's condolence message, crossing party lines, reflects the established protocol of Indian political culture wherein senior leaders pay respects upon the passing of relatives of former prime ministers.
Stakeholders and Impact
The condolence message carries significance beyond personal sentiment. As a senior BJP minister, Rijiju's message to the Devegowda family underscores the cross-party respect commanded by former heads of government and their families in Indian public life. Workers and supporters of the Janata Dal (Secular) across Karnataka are expected to observe mourning.
Smt. Chennamma's role, though largely outside the political spotlight, was central to a family that has shaped Karnataka's political landscape for three decades. Tributes from leaders across the spectrum reflect the stature her family holds in national politics.
What's Next
Condolence messages from other national leaders and state governments are anticipated in the coming hours. With Parliament's monsoon session underway, formal tributes on the floor of the House remain a possibility, continuing the tradition of honouring the families of former prime ministers in the legislative chamber.
Point of View
Where cross-party gestures toward families of former prime ministers serve both as genuine expressions of sympathy and as markers of institutional respect. The BJP-JD(S) alliance in Karnataka lends the message an additional layer of political warmth, signalling continuity in that partnership even in a moment of personal grief. The invocation of 'grace, humility and resilience' — qualities rarely attributed to political actors themselves — positions Smt. Chennamma as a quiet pillar behind a very public dynasty. As Parliament's monsoon session proceeds, the response from the floor will indicate how broadly the national political class chooses to honour the Devegowda family's loss.
NationPress
19 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Smt. Chennamma?
Smt. Chennamma was the wife of former Prime Minister H.D. Devegowda and the mother of Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. She was a central figure in one of Karnataka's most prominent political families, though she remained largely outside the public spotlight.
Why did Kiren Rijiju condole the death of Chennamma?
Kiren Rijiju, as a senior Union Minister and BJP leader, extended condolences in keeping with Indian political tradition, which sees leaders across party lines pay respects upon the passing of relatives of former prime ministers. The BJP and JD(S) also share an alliance in Karnataka.
Who is H.D. Devegowda?
H.D. Devegowda is the founder of Janata Dal (Secular) and served as India's 11th Prime Minister from 1996 to 1997. He remains a key political figure in Karnataka and is the patriarch of the Devegowda political family.
Who is H.D. Kumaraswamy?
H.D. Kumaraswamy is the son of former PM H.D. Devegowda. He has served as Chief Minister of Karnataka on two occasions and holds the position of Union Minister at the Centre.
What does 'Om Shanti' mean in Rijiju's post?
'Om Shanti' (ॐ शांति) is a Sanskrit phrase used in Indian tradition to pray for peace for the departed soul. Its use by Rijiju at the close of his condolence message is a common and respectful gesture in Indian public life.
