From Siddaramanahundi to the power corridors of Vidhana Soudha: Here’s a peek into Siddaramaiah’s life
3 min read
Mysuru: Siddaramaiah will swear-in as the new chief minister of Karnataka on May 20 at 12.30 pm. Known for his pro-socialist views that reflected in his government’s policies when he was the chief minister from 2013 to 2018, Siddaramaiah is also credited with presenting 13 State budgets, a rare recognition for any leader in the State.
As he assumes the office for the second time, here is a quick peek into his life.
Born in Siddaramanahundi in Varuna Hobli, Mysuru district on August 12, 1948, Siddaramaiah was not admitted to the school until he was 10 years. Since his family was dependent on agriculture, getting education was a luxury for his family. As claimed by him, he used to tend to cattle in his village until 10 years. However, his destiny changed when his teachers spotted his interest in studies and was admitted directly to Class V. He completed his basic education in his village and did his PU from Mysuru. He completed his B Sc from Yuvaraja’s College in Mysuru. He also obtained his law degree from Sarada Vilas College and worked as a guest lecturer at Vidyavardhaka College in Mysuru.
Although, he practiced with late MLA and advocate Prof P M Chikkaboraiah, fighting for justice in the court room was not his cup of tea. Deeply influenced by socialist Dr Ram Manohar Lohia’s principles, he always wanted to improve the lives of poor and downtrodden. He was also attracted to the farmers’ movement spearheaded by Late Prof. M.D. Nanjundaswamy, who pioneered farmers’ struggle in Karnataka through Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha.
Siddaramaiah ditched his black robes and jumped into politics by contesting Lok Sabha elections from Mysuru in 1980. He did not win. But that fuelled his dream to work for the poor and downtrodden. He later contested from Chamundeshwari constituency in 1983 Assembly elections on Lok Dal ticket. He defeated D Jayadevaraja Urs of the Congress to enter Assembly. He was made the chairman of Kannada Watchdog Committee by the then Ramakrishna Hegde government. He toured Kasargod, Belagavi, Kolar and other border places to file the report.
In 1985 he won from Chamundeshwari and was made the Animal Husbandry minister and Sericulture Minister. However, he lost the elections in 1989 due to the Congress wave. After the Janata Party was split, he joined Janata Dal and became its secretary. He won the 1994 Assembly election and became Finance Minister. By 1999, he was made the Janata Dal Secular president but lost the election. He was projected as the chief minister face of JDS by 2004 and became Deputy Chief Minister in the Congress-JD(S) coalition government.
However, he was expelled from JDS and lost his chance to become the chief minister there. During this period, he launched Ahinda movement and joined Congress in 2006. He contested the by-election from Chamundeshwari in 2006 and won. He became the Congress chief minister in 2013.
During his five- year tenure, his government made many policies focusing mainly on poor and downtrodden. The most prominent among it was ‘Anna Bhagya’, ‘Shadi Bhagya’, ‘Ksheera Bhagya’ and free bus passes to dalit students.
He contested from Chamundeshwari and Badami in 2018 but he won from Badami constituency. He was made the Opposition leader.
With the Congress coming to power in 2023 Assembly elections, he will be the chief minister once again!
-Team Mysoorunews
Mysooru News
