Farmers Movement Archive

Shanmukhappa Sidnal, former MP, passes away

The former Lok Sabha member from Belagavi Shanmukhappa Basappa Sidnal died in Belagavi on Tuesday. The four-time MP died of age-related causes, his family sources said. He was 86. The veteran Congressman represented Belagavi in the Lok Sabha from 1980 to 1996. He was a trusted follower of the former Prime Minister late Indira Gandhi and a close friend of veteran leader B. Shankaranand. He served as the head of the All India Congress Kisan Sabha for five years. He stayed away from active politics after he was denied Congress ticket in 1996. Later, he joined the BJP. Mr. Sidnal came from a family of freedom fighters. His father, Basappa, and uncle, Shivayogeppa, were jailed by the British during the Independence struggle. Hailing from Sampagaon village near Bailhongal, Mr. Sidnal practised as an advocate in the Belagavi court. He served as the chairman of the Bar Association in Belagavi for some years, before entering electoral politics. He was known for his simple life. He drove around in his vintage Fiat car without using a chauffeur, recalled his associates.

The Hindu

2021-04-28

Belagavi,KARNATAKA