Bengaluru, July 18 -- Chennamma, the wife of former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) patriarch HD Deve Gowda, passed away in Bengaluru on Saturday, July 18, following a prolonged respiratory illness. She was 85.

She had been admitted to Manipal Hospital on July 15 after her health deteriorated due to breathing difficulties and was undergoing treatment in the ICU under the supervision of senior physician Dr Satyanarayana. Despite intensive medical care, she succumbed to her illness on Saturday.

The news of her death drew political leaders, family members and JDS workers to the hospital. With a steady stream of visitors expected, police stepped up security at the hospital. Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh inspecte...