JDS candidate Krishnappa passes away

PTI Bangalore Bureau

Bangalore, April 23 (PTI) Karnataka JDS President and
party candidate for Tumkur Lok Sabha seat, A Krishnappa died
of a heart attack at a private hospital here today, party
sources said. He was 68.
        "He passed away this evening. He had gone to play
at a nearby college club at K R Puram where he suffered a
heart attack," party sources said. He was shifted to a
hospital but did not survive, they said.
        Asked whether there would be a repoll in the light of
Krishnappa's death, Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer
Anilkumar Jha said, "First we have to complete the process of
counting and a decision will be taken after the results come
out."
        On whether there would be a repoll for the Tumkur seat if
Krishnappa wins the elections, Jha said, "In that case, there
will be repoll, but we have to wait for the completion of the
electoral process."
        A backward classes leader, Krishnappa had taken over as
JDS state unit chief in September last year.
        Krishnappa was with the Congress for over three decades
but had shifted his loyalties to JDS after he was denied the
ticket to contest the Assembly polls in May last year.
        Krishnappa, who began his political career in 1985 when he
was elected from Varthur Assembly constituency, was a
four-time member of the Assembly.
        He had held different portfolios as Minister for
Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Sugar and Social Welfare over
a period of eight years.
        Krishnappa has been running a string of educational
institutions for nearly four decades. He is survived by his
wife, two daughters and a son.