UNI
Bangalore May 31: The politically and culturally sensitive district of Shimoga in Karnataka today earned the distinction of giving the State's fourth Chief Minister, with the swearing-in of BJP veteran B S Yeddyurappa today.
His other predecessors from the district were Kadidal Manjappa (1956), S Bangarappa (1990-92) and J H Patel (1996-99). Mr Yeddyurappa had last occupied the Chief Minister's chair for a mere seven days from November 12 to 19, before resigning as its ally Janata Dal (Secular) had reversed its decision to support the BJP as a result of which they could not continue in office.
With eminent socialist leaders emerging from the district, the district in Southern Karnataka is known for the famous 'Kagodu Chaluvali', an uprising against the Zamindari system in the 1960s. The agitation, spearheaded by popular socialist leader Shanthaveri Gopala Gowda, pressed for land for the tillers by abolishing the age-old tenancy system through land reforms. As many as six lakh tenant farmers in the State have benefited from the stir, which also attracted national attention when legendary socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia lent support to it. Mr Lohia was arrested with other socialist party associates during the struggle.
The intense socialist movement in the district had also thrown up several political leaders like Mr Bangarappa, Mr Patel and Mr Manjappa.
Mr Manjappa had remained in power for a mere three months between August 19 and December 31, 1956.
Mr Bangarappa who had emerged as leader in the district through Socialist movement, joined Congress later and became Chief Minister and headed the government between October 1990 to November 1992.
Mr Patel, had become the chief minister of the state in Janata Dal government in 1996 when H D Deve Gowda had become Prime Minister and remained in the office till October 1999. It is the second stint for Mr Yeddyurappa as head of the Karnataka government but this time it is on his own party strength that BJP has emerged the single largest party with 110 seats in the 224-member Karnataka assembly. The BJP managed to secure simple majority when all the six independent candidates decided to extend their support to Mr Yeddyurappa, the 25th Chief Minister of the state.
Yeddyurappa, a staunch Rashtriya Sevak Sangh (RSS) follower was born in K R Pet in Mandya district and migrated to Shikaripur taluk in Shimoga district in his early 20's where he groomed himself as a politician.
BJP's Journey to Power: