Devadurga MLA Venkatesh Naik tragically died in a freak train accident on Monday. The 81-year-old leader, known for his simplicity and soft-spoken nature, was deeply admired in his constituency and Raichur, where he served as a four-time MP. His eldest son, B V Naik, is currently the Raichur MP, and his second son, Rajshekhar Naik, is the president of Raichur District Cooperative Central Bank.
Naik was returning to Raichur from Bengaluru, where he had attended a marriage ceremony, when the accident occurred on the Bangalore-Nanded Express. His mortal remains were brought to Raichur by ambulance, with government official Rajendra Jaldar and NSUI leader Arun Dhotrabandi arranging the transport.
Thousands of mourners gathered at the District Congress office to pay their last respects before the body was taken to his village, Arakera, in Devadurga taluk. The last rites will be performed upon the arrival of his son, B V Naik, from Hyderabad.