Bengaluru: Senior Congress leader, former minister and sitting MLA of Bagalkote Assembly Constituency Hullappa Yamanappa Meti (HY Meti) passed away at a private hospital in the city on Tuesday.
HY Matey was 79 years old. According to medical sources, he was suffering from lung infection and was being treated at a private hospital in the city for a few days. HY Meti is survived by a large number of relatives and friends including his wife, two sons and two daughters.
Born on October 9, 1946 in Thimmapura, Bagalkote district, Hullappa Yamanappa Meti entered the Legislative Assembly as an MLA in 1989, contesting from Guledagudda Assembly Constituency from the Secular Janata Dal (JDS).
Later in 1994, he again contested from Guledagudda from JDS and won. Besides, he also served as Minister of Forest Affairs in the cabinet headed by HD Deve Gowda. Later in 1996, Meti, who had resigned as a minister, contested for the Bagalkote Lok Sabha constituency from the JDS and was elected as an MP. He contested for the Lok Sabha in 1998 and lost.
He joined the Congress in 2008 and contested from Bagalkote constituency as Guledagudda constituency was canceled during the division of constituencies. HY Meti, a supporter of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, also served as Excise Minister in the Siddaramaiah-led cabinet in 2013. In 2018, he contested from Bagalkote constituency and lost. Presently he was also working as the Chairman of Bagalkote Town Development Authority.
Meti, who was suffering from a lung infection, was being treated at a private hospital in Bangalore for a week. On Tuesday, he was shifted to the intensive care unit due to his deteriorating health condition. However, the treatment was ineffective and Matti died. Recently Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met Meti at the hospital and inquired about his health.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Ministers MB Patil, Lakshmi Hebbalkar, Shivraj Thangadagi, Bairati Suresh, BJP State President Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition R. Ashok have condoled the death of Meti.
Funeral Today: Family sources said that the body of the deceased will be moved to Bagalkot and the funeral will be held at Meti’s hometown tomorrow (November 5) at around 2 pm with full government honors.