Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Union Minister Kumaraswamy and other prominent political leaders on Thursday condoled the demise of Tata Group chairperson emeritus Ratan Tata, who died following prolonged illness.

Condoling the demise, Siddaramaiah called Tata an iconic industrialist and visionary leader.

"His (Ratan Tata) contributions to India's progress and philanthropy are immeasurable. His legacy of compassion, humility, and nation-building will continue to inspire generations," he said.

In his message, JDS supremo HD Deve Gowda said India lost a visionary business leader in the passing of Tata.

"In his early years as Chairman, Tata Group, I had negotiated the creation of a new airport for Bangalore with him. I was CM then. Later too we were in touch. He was a very gentle person. RIP," the former PM said on 'X'.

Expressing grief on 'X' Kumaraswamy wrote, "I'm deeply saddened to hear about Shri Ratan Tata's demise. His legacy as a philanthropist and industrialist has profoundly impacted countless lives and communities. His vision, compassion, and unwavering dedication to social causes will always be remembered. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this challenging time."

Tata died at a Mumbai hospital late on Wednesday night. Tata, who led the salt-to-software conglomerate to new heights, was 86.

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Mumbai (PTI): Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday slammed former Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, alleging that he had removed the fear of the law from politicians who defected from parties in Maharashtra.

Raut claimed that by not deciding on the disqualification petitions, Chandrachud kept doors and windows open for defections.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader's statement comes after his party faced a severe drubbing in the state assembly elections, as it managed to clinch only 20 out of 95 seats it contested as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

The performance of the party's alliance partners was no better, with the Congress winning only 16 out of 101 seats and NCP (SP) getting only 10 out of 86 seats it contested.

Talking to reporters, Raut alleged, "He (Chandrachud) has removed the fear of the law from defectors. His name will be written in black letters in history."

Following the split in the undivided Shiv Sena in 2022, the party's faction headed by Uddhav Thackeray filed petitions in the Supreme Court on the disqualification of party MLAs who defected along with Eknath Shinde. The apex court put the onus on the assembly Speaker to decide on the disqualification petitions, which he did earlier this year, declaring the Sena bloc led by Shinde as the “real political party”.

Raut alleged that the results of the assembly election were pre-decided. If the then CJI had decided on the disqualification petitions on time, the outcome would have been different.

"We are sad but not disappointed. We will not leave the fight incomplete. Division of votes was also a factor, and the RSS played an important role in the election. The poisonous campaign impacted us negatively," he said.

He said the swearing-in ceremony for the new government should be held in neighbouring Gujarat.

Meanwhile, in his weekly column "Rokhthok" in the party mouthpiece "Saamana", the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader claimed that it was time to offer condolences to the Election Commission, which turned a blind eye to the use of money power.

"The courts have been in the ICU for a long time," he alleged.