EX-MLA Kempegowda passes away at 96

Mandya: Senior political and three time MLA K Kempegowda (96), who represented Pandavapura assembly constituency, passed away on Thursday.
He was suffering from age related ailments and breathed his last at his residence in Chinnakurali. He is survived by four sons and five daughters. His mortal remains were kept at Chinakurali in KR Pet taluk for the people to pay their respects till 3pm. Various dignitaries, politicians and supporters, activists and leaders paid their respects. The last rites were performed at the deceased’s farm on the outskirts of Chinnakurali. MLA GT Deve Gowda, former MLAs Rameshbabu Bandissidde Gowda, KB Chandrashekar, GB Sivakumar, B Prakash and farmer leader Sunitha Puttannaiah paid their homage.
He made his debut in politics as the director of TAPCMS. Later, in 1983 assembly election, he entered the assembly for the first time by contesting as a Janata Party candidate from Pandavpura constituency. He contested as an independent in 1985 assembly elections and was elected for the second time in a row. He contested the 1989 election from the Janata Dal but lost. In 1994, he contested as an independent candidate but lost again. In 1999, he contested as Congress candidate and was elected for the third time. After delimitation when the segment was renamed as Melukote in 2008, he again tried his luck contesting as BJP candidate but was unsuccessful.