BAGALKOT: Farmer leader Vasanna Desai, the face of many an agitation in North Karnataka, died due to illness in Hubballi on Thursday.
He was 73. Vasanna leaves behind three sons and one daughter. Vasanna had fought for the evacuees in villages submerged following the implementation of Upper Krishna Project (UKP in Almatti dam).
Born in Desagati family in Yadahalli village in Bilagi taluk, Vasanna went on to become a mass leader.
He began his political career by becoming the president of Primary Agriculture Cooperative Sangh in Yadahalli. Desai later served as the director of a spinning mill in Bagalkot district for 10 years, State Marketing Federation and Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee.
Vasanna is the first nominated director of Nandi Cooperative Sugar Factory. He had also fought for the cause of people who were evacuated and lost land for UKP in 1996.
Being a Gandhian, he exhorted the government to sanction compensation to the evacuees. Known for his simplicity, Vasanna had a great rapport with many leaders, which crossed their political affiliations.
A pall of gloom descended on Yadahalli, when his body was brought there on Thursday afternoon.
The last rites will be held on the banks of Krishna river in the village on Friday. Mourning his demise, district minister M B Patil recalled the services of Vasanna in championing the cause of many people in north Karnataka.
