Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Oct 4: Kusuma, widow of the late IAS officer D K Ravi, joined the Congress party officially on Sunday, October 4.

Kusuma is a ticket aspirant for the by-election from Rajarajeshwari (RR) Nagar constituency here. She is the daughter of Haunmantharayappa, a former council member from RR zone.

Kusuma arrived at the KPCC office with family and received the primary membership of Congress party at 11.45 am. Family of Hanumantharayappa waited for more than an hour for the auspicious time to join the party.

Kusuma received the membership of the party from KPCC president D K Shivakumar.

Former CM Siddaramaiah, former DCM Dr G Parameshwar and Bengaluru north district Congress president Rajkumar were present. Hanumantharayappa and his supporters also joined the party at the same time. More than 100 leaders of Sira also joined the Congress party.

D K Ravi's death in March 2015 had sparked a controversy in the state. Known to be an honest and upright officer, Ravi was found dead in his residence. Several leaders of the Congress, which was then ruling the state, had been accused of harassing the officer. His death had led to massive protests in Kolar and other parts of the state. After intense public pressure, the then chief minister handed over the case to the CBI, which in 2016 filed a closure report stating that Ravi's death was a case of suicide.