Bangalore: Veteran Gandhian and freedom fighter Kollur Mallappa, a three-time Rajya Sabha member, died in Bangalore today (Oct 24, 2004) aged 99.

A senior Congress leader, Mallappa followed Gandhian principles in letter and spirit and was known for simplicity and straightforwardness.

Chief Minister N Dharam Singh and Water Resources Minister M Mallikarjuna Kharge were among those who paid their last respects to Mallappa, who had also represented Surpur and Sedam in the Legislative Assembly.

Expressing profound grief, Singh said Mallappa fought relentlessly for the betterment of exploited sections of the society as well as backward classes.

He was instrumental in the appointment of late D Devaraj Urs as Chief Minister of Karnataka and through him, he saw that several people-oriented programmes were formulated and implemented for the benefit of the backward classes and weaker sections, Singh added.