At a condolence meeting to pay tributes to the late higher education minister, Advani said Acharya was instrumental behind Jan Sangh capturing power in the 1968 Udupi Town Municipal elections.
Paying rich tribute to VS Acharya, senior BJP leader LK Advani on Wednesday said cultured and civilised politicians like Acharya are needed in this era of cut-throat and slippery politics.
At a condolence meeting to pay tributes to the late higher education minister, Advani said Acharya was instrumental behind Jan Sangh capturing power in the 1968 Udupi Town Municipal elections.
Acharya’s contribution to Udupi’s development is unparalleled, Advani said. “Udupi Town Municipality is one of the best-run civic bodies in South India and the credit goes to Acharya,” he added.
Chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda hailed Acharya as someone who was a class apart. “No other politician of the calibre of Acharya will be born again. He was a God to our party,” he said.
Former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa remembered Acharya as Ajatshatru, a man having no enemies.
Acharya was a compassionate and experienced politician, Yeddyurappa said, adding, he was a rare breed.
Yeddyurappa urged the state government to build a memorial for the late leader.
Last rites
Acharya’s body was consigned to flames at the Beedinagudde crematorium with state honours. After elaborate last rites as per the Madhwa-Shivally Brahmin ritual at his home in Kadiyali, Acharya’s eldest son, Dr Raviraj Acharya, lighted his father’s pyre followed by his younger brother Kiran Acharya and other relatives.
Admirers of Dr Acharya held a memorial service at Ammanni Ramanna Shetty hall in Udupi.
Besides Advani, Gowda, and Yeddyurappa, the other leaders who attended the memorial service included KS Eshwarappa, Ananth Kumar, DH Shankarmurthy and other leaders. Many shops and offices in Udupi were closed even on Wednesday on account of Dr Acharya’s demise; they opened only in the afternoon.
Tribute was paid to the late BJP leader in Mangalore, Puttur, Sullia, Buntwal, Kundapura and Karkala.
With inputs from PTI
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