Karwar: Canara constituency’s Ex Member of Parliament and backward classes leader G Devaraya Naik passed away following age related problems at his residence in Sirsi on 12th July, Wednesday. He was 70. He is survived by his wife Geeta and three sons.

Naik was elected as Member of Parliament from Kanara constituency for four times - 1980, 1984, 1989 and 1991 on Congress party ticket. In 1996, he joined JD(S) and contested for the fifth time in Uttara Kannada district, but was defeated in that election.

About him, it is said that he was born in Gavinagudda village of Siddapur taluk to Geeta and Ira Naik in an agriculturist family. He completed BA graduation from Karnataka​ University, Dharwad and he completed LLB at Rani Chennamma college in Bengaluru. He was very active in his student days and used to raise his voice against injustice against farmers, poor and backward people.

In 1961, he formally joined politics through Praja Samajawadi party. When later in 1969 the party merged with Congress, he also joined Congress and was elected as gram panchayat member and also to other posts. In the year 1980 ,he wad elected as Congress MP from Canara constituency and he was continuously winning uptill 1991 polls from Congress. In 1996 due to changed scenario, he joined JD(S). but, then he was not elected as MP. From that day, he gradually defaced from politics.

Former minister Prabhakar S Rane who had started political career with Naik, said, “It is a very sad news that Naik passed away. He was a very good human being and was a kind hearted man. He tried his best to get grants from union government for the development of Uttara Kannada district, but he did not get the opportunity to serve more. I pray to the mighty Lord to rest his soul in peace.”