Former Legislative Council Speaker N Thippanna Passes Away at 97

BALLARI –

Senior lawyer, former Legislative Council Speaker, and prominent Veerashaiva leader N Thippanna passed away at his residence in Gandhinagar, Ballari, on Friday morning. He was 97.

Thippanna is survived by his son. His last rites will be held on Saturday in his native village Turavinoor, in Chitradurga district. His body will be kept at his Ballari residence for final darshan.

A respected figure in legal and political circles, Thippanna practiced law for many years before entering politics. He was elected to the Legislative Council four times, served as Deputy Leader of the Opposition, and briefly held the post of Speaker.

He was closely associated with former Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde and contested the Ballari Lok Sabha seat on a Janata Dal ticket, though unsuccessfully. Later, he joined the JDU, and after its merger, became the state president of the JD(S).

Thippanna also made a mark in the Veerashaiva community, serving as state president of the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha in 2012 and holding various roles within the organisation. He also led the Veerashaiva Vidyavardhaka Sangha, Ballari, for two decades, contributing immensely to education and community welfare.