From clerk to the corridors of power

BJP legislature party leader B.S. Yeddyurappa was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka for a second time, after an overnight high-voltage legal battle in the Supreme Court. The 75-year-old Lingayat strongman and a hard RSS Swayamsevak has been controversy’s favourite child. From his beginnings as a humble government clerk and a hardware store owner to becoming the CM of Karnataka for a second time, Yeddyurappa has navigated the choppy waters of politics with the ease of a seasoned oarsman.

At 15 joined the Hindu right organisation.

Cut his political teeth in the Jana Sangh, in his hometown Shikaripura in Shivamogga district.

1970’s became the Jana Sangh’s Shikaripura taluka chief.

1983 was first elected to the Legislative Assembly from Shikaripura and went on to win it 5 more times.

2008 he led the BJP to victory, and the first BJP government in the south was formed under him.

A Bachelor of Arts, Yeddyurappa, was jailed during Emergency.

He is known to have espoused the cause of farmers, something which was repeatedly referred to by Prime Minister Modi in his election speeches.

2004 he could have become CM, when BJP emerged as the single largest party. But the Congress and JD(S) alliance was formed under Dharam Singh, prevented him.

2006 joined with H.D. Kumaraswamy, Deve Gowda’s son and brought down the Dharam Singh government.

2011 was indicted by the Lokayukta in an illegal mining scam and was forced to resign.