HV Anantha Subbarao | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Trade union veteran HV Anantha Subbarao (84) died of cardiac arrest here on Wednesday. He became famous for his long-term work in the state-owned road transport company.
He is survived by his wife Nagaratna and two daughters.
One of the longest serving general secretaries of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Karnataka unit, he held the post from 1983 to 2015 before assuming the post of AITUC President (2015–2026). It was only a few weeks ago that he stepped down and handed over the reins to Baba Mathew.
Subbarao joined the trade union movement in the 1960s, inspired by Marxism and communist ideology. He was the founder general secretary of the LIC Employees’ Union in 1963 and served as vice-president of AITUC from 1971 to 1983. He also unsuccessfully contested the 1999 assembly elections from Rajajinagar on a Communist Party of India (CPI) ticket.
Since the 60s
Known for his prowess in negotiating with the government, Subbarao has worked for the welfare of employees at the state-run road transport corporation for more than five decades. He led the KSRTC Staff and Workers’ Union over the years, including the difficult years when the government, despite opposition, bifurcated the RTC.
“He was jailed on many occasions during the strike action of transport workers. Due to his uncompromising stance, Subbarao was successful in building bridges between the unions and the Transport Department in Karnataka. He was a devoted CPI leader throughout his life,” the AITUC note said.
“He traveled across Karnataka, speaking at meetings of gate drivers, conductors and engine staff. Through his campaign, finally, after a long struggle, a secret ballot was held in 1987, after which the KSRTC employees’ and workers’ federation was recognized as a trade union with which the management would negotiate,” recalled Prof. Mathew, a longtime associate of the veteran leader.
Industrial unions too
AITUC, under his leadership, was able to expand its footprints into new areas of the workforce such as system workers and public transport. According to AITUC, he headed various industrial unions, including ITC and Mico Bosch.
The Center for Trade Unions (CITU) and other unions have condoled the death of Subbarao. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said, “I knew him well since 2013 when I first became Transport Minister. He was sensible in his dealings. He strongly believed that the state organization should grow and the employees should also get justice.”
Published – 28 Jan 2026 19:55 IST
