Daradahalli Byregowda Chandregowda was born at Daradahalli of Mudigere taluk, Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka on 26 August 1936 to D. A. Byre Gowda and Puttamma. He did his BSc education from Renukacharya College, Bangalore and LLB from R. L. Law College, Belgaum. He married Purna Chandre Gowda on 22 May 1966 and had four daughters.[2][3]
Chandregowda learnt his leadership skills paving the way for a long political career during his college days; he was elected vice-president of the Renukacharya college students association. While at R. L. Law College, he became the General Secretary of the R.L. Law College. He was in the Praja Socialist Party till 1967. In 1971, he got elected to 5th Lok Sabha from Chikmagalur constituency representing INC – Congress party.[6] He was re-elected to 6th Lok Sabha from Chikmagalur, but vacated his seat later to allow Indira Gandhi to contest and win the election from there.
Chandregowda entered into Karnataka Legislative Assembly as M.L.A. in 1983 representing Thirthahalli constituency and served as Speaker in Legislative Assembly from 1983 to 1985. In 1986, he was elected as a Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha representing Janata Dal political party. In 1989, he was re-elected as M.L.A. from Thirthahalli constituency and became the Leader of opposition. In 1999, he was elected for a third term as M.L.A. representing Shringeri constituency and became Minister of Law and Parliamentary Affairs until 2004.[2][3][7]
In 2008, he resigned from Congress and joined BJP; subsequently, he became a Member of Parliament in 15th Lok Sabha representing Bangalore North from BJP in 2009.[8][9][10] In 2011, he also entered Silver screen by acting in Kannada film Nanna Gopala, produced and directed by writer "Lakshman".[11] He was a member of the Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice; Committee on Subordinate Legislation; and Committee on members of parliament Local Area Development Scheme from 2009.[2][3]
D.B. Chandregowda died at his residence at Daradahalli in Mudigere taluk on 7 November 2023, at the age of 87.[12]
Elections contested
1971: Lok Sabha member from Chikmagalur (Congress)
1977: Lok Sabha member from Chikmagalur (Congress)
Resigned in 1978 to allow Indira Gandhi to contest and enter Lok Sabha
1978–1983: MLC in Karnataka Legislative Council (Congress)
1983–1985: M.L.A in 1983 representing Thirthahalli constituency (Janata Party)
1986: Rajya Sabha MP (Janata Party, later renamed Janata Dal)
1989: Karnataka Assembly member representing Thirthahalli constituency (Janata Dal)
1999: M.L.A representing Shringeri (Congress)
2009: Lok Sabha member from Bangalore (North) for BJP
Autobiography
An autobiography of D.B. Chandre Gowda with the name Poornachandra was released on the occasion of his 75th birthday by D. V. Sadananda Gowda, former Chief Minister of Karnataka, and B. S. Yeddyurappa, former Chief Minister of Karnataka.[13][14] Speaking on occasion B. S. Yeddyurappa said:
I have seen him closely. Self-confidence and stability are his virtues.[13]
D. V. Sadananda Gowda calling him his friend, philosopher, and the guide said:
This book is not really required to be read, as a look at Gowda's personality and deeds are enough to know all about him. There are those who dream and those who strive to make that dream a reality. Gowda has always tried to do that. As a Law Minister, his invaluable input to me contributed to what I am today.[13]
^"CHANDRE GOWDA JOINS BJP". ananth.org. Archived from the original on 4 April 2009. Retrieved 12 April 2012. The BJP in Karnataka got a major boost for its electoral prospects in the 2009 general elections with many prominent Congress leaders joining the party deserting the sinking Congress ship – Former minister and senior Congress leader Sri D B Chandre Gowda, former MLA Sri L R Shivarame Gowda, former minister Sri H C Sreekantaiah, Sri H N Purushotham, son of former Minister H N Nanje Gowda were the prominent leaders who joined the BJP along with their large number of supporters.
^"DB Chandre Gowda to star in Nanna Gopala". entertainment.oneindia.in. 28 April 2010. Retrieved 12 April 2012. Member of Parliament DB Chandre Gowda of BJP is appearing on the silver screen for the first time along with Congress I MLC Motamma, Justice AJ Sadashiva, and Prof. Doddarange Gowda.[permanent dead link]
^ abc"Chandre Gowdas autobiography released". ibnlive.in.com. 30 December 2011. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2012. Former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Thursday released 'Poornachandra', the autobiography of BJP MP D B Chandre Gowda (DBC) on the occasion of the latter's 75th birthday. The book traces the political career of Chandre Gowda spanning several decades.
^"Election campaign committee headship for Yeddyurappa?". thehindu.com. 26 February 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2012. Former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa at a 75th birth celebrations of Member of Parliament D.B. Chandre Gowda and release of Chandregowda's biography 'Poornachandra'