In a concerning incident during a major religious festival, veteran Congress leader Kagodu Thimmappa collapsed on Tuesday while participating in the Marikamba Jatra celebrations in Sagar, his hometown. The 93-year-old socialist leader, who has been a prominent figure in Karnataka politics for decades, was rushed to the government hospital in the town after suddenly fainting amidst the temple festivities.
Incident During Temple Rituals
The Marikamba Jatra, which commenced on Tuesday, drew large crowds to Sagar for the annual temple festival. Kagodu Thimmappa actively participated in the rituals, which began around 10:30 AM. According to eyewitness accounts, thousands of devotees had gathered and were enthusiastically cheering for the veteran leader as he greeted them near the temple premises.
Sudden Health Scare Amid Celebrations
While acknowledging the crowd's support, Thimmappa suddenly experienced breathing difficulties and collapsed. He was immediately attended to by those present and transported to the local government hospital for emergency medical care. The leader was accompanied by family members and Sagar MLA Belur Gopal Krishna during this critical time.
Family Provides Details of the Incident
Raja Nandini, Thimmappa's daughter and a Congress functionary, spoke to reporters about the incident. She explained that they had visited the temple to offer puja and encountered an unexpectedly large crowd as they were leaving the temple premises. "My father became quite excited after seeing the enthusiastic crowd," she stated, "but suddenly he experienced breathing difficulties which caused him to faint."
Medical Assessment and Recovery
Medical officer Dr. Vikram provided primary treatment at the hospital and confirmed that the exhaustion was directly caused by the heavy rush and overwhelming crowd presence. The doctor attributed the collapse to physical exertion combined with the emotional excitement of the moment. Fortunately, Thimmappa responded well to the immediate medical attention and has since made a full recovery.
Raja Nandini confirmed that her father has completely recovered from the incident and has returned home. She expressed gratitude for the prompt medical response and the concern shown by well-wishers. The family emphasized that Thimmappa's condition is now stable and he is resting comfortably at home following the health scare.
Political Reactions and Well-Wishes
The incident has drawn attention from political circles across Karnataka, with many leaders expressing concern for the veteran politician's health. Thimmappa, who has served as a minister in the Karnataka government and held various significant political positions throughout his career, remains an influential figure in state politics despite his advanced age.
The Marikamba Jatra, an important cultural and religious event in the region, continued as scheduled despite the concerning incident involving the prominent political leader. Local authorities have noted the importance of ensuring adequate medical facilities and crowd management during such large-scale public events, especially when elderly participants are involved.
