H. D. Kumaraswamy

H. D. Kumaraswamy
Kumaraswamy in 2024
Union Minister of Heavy Industries
Incumbent
Assumed office 10 June 2024 (2024-06-10)
President	Droupadi Murmu
Prime Minister	Narendra Modi
Vice President	Jagdeep Dhankhar
Preceded by	Mahendra Nath Pandey
Union Minister of Steel
Incumbent
Assumed office 10 June 2024 (2024-06-10)
President	Droupadi Murmu
Prime Minister	Narendra Modi
Vice President	Jagdeep Dhankhar
Preceded by	Jyotiraditya Scindia
18th Chief Minister of Karnataka
In office 23 May 2018 – 23 July 2019
President	Ram Nath Kovind
Vice President	M. Venkaiah Naidu
Preceded by	B. S. Yediyurappa
Succeeded by	B. S. Yediyurappa
In office 3 February 2006 – 9 October 2007
Preceded by	Dharam Singh
Succeeded by	President's rule
Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Assembly
In office 31 May 2013 – 22 January 2014
Governor	Hansraj Bhardwaj
Preceded by	Siddaramaiah
Succeeded by	Jagadish Shettar
Member of Karnataka Legislative Assembly
In office 16 May 2018 – 4 June 2024
Preceded by	C. P. Yogeeshwara
Constituency	Channapatna
In office 2013–2018
Preceded by	K. Raju
Succeeded by	Anitha Kumaraswamy
Constituency	Ramanagara
In office 2004–2009
Preceded by	C. M. Lingappa
Succeeded by	K. Raju
Constituency	Ramanagara
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Incumbent
Assumed office 4 June 2024
Preceded by	Sumalatha
Constituency	Mandya, Karnataka
In office 2009–2013
Preceded by	Tejashwini Gowda (as MP for Kanakapura)
Succeeded by	D. K. Suresh
Constituency	Bangalore Rural, Karnataka
In office 1996–1998
Preceded by	M. V. Chandrashekara Murthy
Succeeded by	M. Srinivas
Constituency	Kanakapura, Karnataka
President of Janata Dal (Secular), Karnataka
Incumbent
Assumed office 20 October 2023
In office 2014–2018
In office 2008–2013
Personal details
Born	Haradanahalli Deve Gowda Kumaraswamy (1959-12-16) 16 December 1959 (age 65) Haradanahalli, Mysore State, India
Political party	Janata Dal (Secular)
Other political affiliations	Janata Dal
Spouses	Anitha Kumaraswamy ​ (m. 1986)​ Radhika Kumaraswamy ​ ​ (m. 2006⁠–⁠2015)​ [1]
Children	2, including Nikhil Kumar
Parents	H. D. Deve Gowda (father) Chennamma Deve Gowda (mother)
Relatives	H. D. Revanna (brother) Prajwal Revanna (nephew)
Alma mater	B.Sc., National College Basavanagudi, Bangalore
Profession	Politician Film producer
Signature
Nickname(s)	HDK, Kumaranna
Source: [1]

In this Indian name, the name Haradanahalli Devegowda is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Kumaraswamy.

Haradanahalli Devegowda Kumaraswamy (born 16 December 1959) is an Indian politician and film producer who is serving as the Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel of India since 10 June 2024. He also served as the 18th Chief Minister of Karnataka from 2018 to 2019 and previously from 2006 to 2007. He was also the leader of the opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from 2013 to 2014. He is currently the president of the Karnataka State Janata Dal (Secular). He is a member of Lok Sabha, having been elected from Mandya and the former member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Channapatna from 2018 to 2024, Ramanagara from 2004 to 2009 and from 2013 to 2018. He is the son of former prime minister of India & former Chief Minister of Karnataka H. D. Deve Gowda.^[2]

Early life and education

Kumaraswamy was born in Haradanahalli, Holenarasipura taluk of Hassan district, Karnataka to H. D. Deve Gowda and Chennamma.^[3]

He completed primary education in a government school in Hassan district. He finished his high school studies in Bangalore's MES Educational Institution in Jayanagar and Bachelor of Science degree from National College Basavanagudi, Bangalore.^[4]

Personal life

On 13 March 1986, Kumaraswamy married Anitha Kumaraswamy. They have a son, Nikhil Gowda.

In November 2010, Radhika revealed that she was married to him and that they have a daughter named Shamika.^[5] They separated in 2015.^[1]

Political career

Kumaraswamy entered politics by winning from Kanakapura (in Ramanagara District) in the 1996 general elections. He sought re-election from Kanakapura in 1998 and lost to M. V. Chandrashekara Murthy. This was Kumaraswamy's worst defeat ever where he lost by such a margin that he even forfeited his deposit.^[6]

He again contested unsuccessfully for a Sathanur assembly seat in 1999 when he was defeated by congress heavyweight D. K. Shivakumar. In 2004, he was elected to represent the Ramanagara assembly segment. When the 2004 state elections resulted in a hung assembly with no party getting enough seats to form a government, the Indian National Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) parties decided to come together and form a coalition government. Known for his adaptability and friendly nature, Dharam Singh of the Congress was the unanimous choice of both parties to head the government.^[7] He was sworn in as chief minister on 28 May 2004.^[8] Forty-two MLAs of Janata Dal (Secular) under Kumaraswamy's leadership left the coalition and the government collapsed. On 28 January 2006, Karnataka Governor T. N. Chaturvedi invited Kumaraswamy to form the government in the state after the resignation of the Congress Government led by Dharam Singh.

He was Chief Minister of Karnataka from 4 February 2006 to 9 October 2007. On 27 September 2007, Kumaraswamy said that he would leave office on 3 October as part of a power-sharing agreement between the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), despite the calls of some legislators in the JD(S) for him to remain in office for the time being, due to complications in arranging the transfer of power.^[9] However, on 4 October 2007, he refused to transfer power to the BJP.^[10] Finally, on 8 October 2007, he tendered his resignation to Governor Rameshwar Thakur, and the state was put under President's rule two days later.^[11] However, he reconciled later and decided to offer support to the BJP. BJP's B. S. Yeddyurappa was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on 12 November 2007. But, again refused to support BJP government over a disagreement on sharing of ministries which resulted in Yeddyurappa resignation as Chief Minister on 19 November 2007.^[12]

After the untimely demise of Karnataka state JD(S) President Merajuddin Patel, he was elected unopposed as President of the state unit.^[13]

However, after the by-election results of Bangalore Rural Lok Sabha constituency and Mandya^[14] in which his party candidates lost, he resigned from the post of President of the Janata Dal (Secular) State unit, and as leader of the opposition.^{[citation needed]}

However, party cadres succeeded in convincing him not to quit as leader of opposition in the Karnataka Assembly.^[15] In September 2013, A. Krishnappa was selected as Janata Dal-Secular's president for Karnataka, filling the vacancy left by Kumaraswamy.^[16]

In November 2014 Kumaraswamy was elected as Karnataka state Janata Dal (Secular) President.^[17][2] Kumaraswamy is also known for accusing political rivals of corruption.^[18][19][20]

Kumaraswamy met Prime Minister Narendra Modi after becoming Chief Minister in May 2018

In 2018 elections in Karnataka state, JD(S) was the third-largest party but after a post-poll alliance with the Rahul Gandhi led Indian National Congress, he was sworn in as the Chief Minister on 23 May 2018.^[21]

In the 2019 parliament elections, his son Nikhil Gowda contested in the Mandya (Lok Sabha constituency) against an independent candidate Sumalatha, wife of film actor Late Ambareesh.^[22] Kumaraswamy took this contest as a prestige^[23] and campaigned all across the constituency. In vain his son lost the election by a margin of 1,30,000 odd votes.^[24] This was a major setback and abashment to Kumaraswamy in his political career. He also shed tears in a party convention in Mandya, recalling the election loss faced by his son.^[25]

On the month of July 2019, his government lost its majority when 13 MLAs of Congress and 3 MLAs of his own party resigned to their MLA Posts. BSP MLA Mahesh N & 2 Independent MLAs withdrew their support for H.D.Kumaraswamy led coalition Government in Karnataka. On 23 July Kumaraswamy lost his majority in Karnataka floor test. Kumaraswamy resigned to the Chief Minister post, by submitting his resignation letter to governor Vajubhai Vala on 23 July 2019. Then BJP was invited to form the government as the single largest party, by the governor and B. S.Yediyurappa took oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka by succeeding him.

In the 2023 Karnataka Assembly Elections, he won from Channapatna against BJP's C. P. Yogeshwar by a margin of 20,000 votes, while his son Nikhil lost in his previous constituency, Ramanagara to the Congress candidate. His party JD(S) managed to win 19 seats of the contested 204 seats in the same elections.^[26][27]

Positions held

Kumaraswamy in December 2006

Source : ^[28][29]

Year	Position
1996	Member, 11th Lok Sabha (Kanakapura)
2004–08	Member, Karnataka Legislative Assembly Chief Minister of Karnataka (3 February 2006 – 9 October 2007)
2009-13	Member, 15th Lok Sabha 31 August 2009: Member, Committee on Rural Development 15 October 2009: Member, Committee on Food Management in Parliament House Complex
2013–18	Member, Karnataka Legislative Assembly
2018 – 19	Member, Karnataka Legislative Assembly Chief Minister of Karnataka (23 May 2018 – 23 July 2019)
2024–present	Member, 18th Lok Sabha (Mandya) Union Minister of Heavy Industries Union Minister of Steel

Electoral Performance

Sl.No	Year	Election	Constituency	Votes	Vote share	Margin	Result
1.	1996	11th Lok Sabha	Kanakapura	4,40,444	42.11%	1,07,404	Won[30]
2.	1998	12th Lok Sabha	Kanakapura	2,60,859	21.63%	2,09,528	Lost[30]
3.	1999	13th Lok Sabha	Kanakapura	1,62,448	13.17%	3,70,462	Lost[30]
4.	1999	Karnataka Legislative Assembly	Sathanur	41,663	40.61%	14,387	Lost[31]
5.	2004	Karnataka Legislative Assembly	Ramanagara	69,554	54.14%	24,916	Won[32]
6.	2008	Karnataka Legislative Assembly	Ramanagara	71,700	56.09%	47,260	Won[32]
7.	2009	15th Lok Sabha	Bangalore Rural	4,93,302	44.73%	1,30,275	Won[33]
8.	2014	16th Lok Sabha	Chikballapura	3,46,339	27.40	78,461	Lost[34]
9.	2013	Karnataka Legislative Assembly	Ramanagara	83,447	56.12%	25,398	Won[32]
10.	2018	Karnataka Legislative Assembly	Ramanagara	92,626	53.96%	22,636	Won[32]
11.	2018	Karnataka Legislative Assembly	Channapatna	87,995	46.55%	21,530	Won[35]
12.	2023	Karnataka Legislative Assembly	Channapatna	96,592	48.83%	15,915	Won
13.	2024	18th Lok Sabha	Mandya	8,51,881	58.34%	2,84,620	Won[36]

He contested in the 2024 parliamentary elections from Mandya as a JD (S) candidate as per a seat sharing arrangement with the BJP and emerged victorious.^[37]

Film and television

Kumaraswamy is into film production and distribution. He has produced several Kannada films including Chandra Chakori, a huge hit, credited with 365 day-run in theaters.^[38] Surya Vamsha which was directed by S. Narayan was the debut movie produced by Kumaraswamy under Chennambika films, named after his mother. In 2016 his banner also produced his son's debut movie Jaguar (2016 film) and his 2nd movie Seetharama Kalyana in 2019.

• Premotsava (1999)
• Surya Vamsha (2000)
• Galate Aliyandru (2001)
• Jithendra (2002)
• Chandra Chakori (2003)
• Jaguar (2016)
• Seetharama Kalyana (2019)

In September 2007, Kumaraswamy started the Kannada television channel Kasturi. The channel is now owned and managed by his wife Anitha.

Controversies

Bigamy charges

Kumaraswamy was accused of bigamy which is illegal according to Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 of India. A public interest litigation was filed after media reports of his marriage to Kannada cinema actress Radhika Kumaraswamy surfaced. Since Kumaraswamy is married to his first wife Anitha, his second marriage with Radhika is a violation of law.^[39] However a division bench of Karnataka High Court headed by Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen dismissed the case citing "lack of proof".^[40]

Janthakal mining scam

Kumaraswamy and his wife Anitha are facing charges in the Janthakal mining scam. He is accused of pressuring a senior bureaucrat to renew Janthakal Enterprise's lease of iron ore mining for 40 years on the basis of forged documents and violating several rules. The bureaucrat, Ganga Ram Baderiya, was allegedly given kickbacks by Janthakal Enterprise. The owner of Janthakal Enterprises, mining baron Vinod Goel, was arrested in 2015 on charges of forgery. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is probing this scam on the direction of Supreme Court of India.^[41][42][43]

Vishwabharati case

Kumaraswamy and his wife Anitha are accused of misuse of official position in allotment of 80 acres of land to Vishwabharati House Building Cooperative Society Ltd, a private cooperative society, which later made a quid pro quo site allotment to Anitha, during Kumaraswamy's tenure as Chief Minister in 2006.^[44][43]

Release of CD on Mangalore protests

Kumaraswamy called for a press meet and released a CD containing 35 video clips of the violence during the Mangalore protests against the CAA.^[45] The video presented the policemen acting violently against the protesters and beating up the civilians of the city, leading to riots in the city. He accused that the police directly followed the government orders inhumanly and were the main reason for the shoot out that killed 2 people during the protests.^[46]

The BJP in return accused that these video clips are all edited versions of older footages of some other circumstances.^[47] They also said that Kumaraswamy is misleading the people by producing inappropriate footages in public that provokes confusion and violence among the people.^[48] The BJP included saying that Kumaraswamy, being a senior politician in the state is directly accusing the government officials and the police, which is unacceptable.^[49]

Statements on RSS

In February 2023, Kumarswamy said that a secret meet of RSS in Delhi, has decide to make a Brahmin, Pralhad Joshi, the next chief minister of Karnataka. This led to vast opposition from the BJP and also the Brahmin's Mahasabha, asking for an apology for these statements.^[50]

Stealing Electricity from BESCOM

In November 2023, Kumaraswamy was accused of stealing electricity from BESCOM to light his home in J P Nagar, Bengaluru during Deepavali festival.^[51][52] Kumaraswamy was fined ₹ 68,526 for stealing electric power.^[53] Kumaraswamy was also booked under Section 135 of Indian Electricity Act (Theft of Electricity).^[54]

See also

• Third Modi ministry

References

1. "Coastal Digest".
2. And the new Janata Dal (s) chief is HD Kumaraswamy
3. Kumaraswamy, Shri H.D.Archived 7 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine on the Lok Sabha website.
4. "Detailed Profile - Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy - Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha) - Who's Who - Government: National Portal of India". Archived from the original on 24 January 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
5. "From film industry to CM office: All you need to know about Karnataka's 'possible new CM' HD Kumaraswamy". 15 May 2018. Archived from the original on 24 May 2018.
6. "Gowda set to contest Kanakapura byelection". The Hindu. 10 January 2002. Archived from the original on 11 June 2018.
7. "Dharam Singh chosen leader of CLP". The Times of India. 24 May 2004. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013.
8. "Dharam Singh, Siddaramaiah sworn in". The Hindu. 29 May 2004. Archived from the original on 12 March 2007.
9. "Kumaraswamy says he will quit on Oct. 3" Archived 21 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine, PTI (The Hindu), 27 September 2007.
10. M, Anil Kumar (17 October 2011). "October effect haunts BS Yeddyurappa". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011.
11. "Karnataka under President Rule". Financial Express. 9 October 2007. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014.
12. "Yeddyurappa quits rather than face trust vote". The Hindu. 20 November 2007 – via www.thehindu.com.
13. "Kumaraswamy elected JDS Legislature party leader". The Deccan Herald. 20 May 2013. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014.
14. Satish, D. P. (24 August 2013). "Congress wins Karnataka by-polls by heavy margin". IBN Live. Archived from the original on 24 August 2013.
15. "Kumaraswamy still Leader of Opposition in Assembly". The Hindu. 30 August 2013. Archived from the original on 31 August 2013.
16. "A. Krishnappa elected State JD(S) president". The Hindu. 12 September 2013. Archived from the original on 13 September 2013.
17. "H D Deve Gowda announces son as party president of Karnataka unit – The Economic Times". Archived from the original on 22 November 2015.
18. "Who is HD Kumaraswamy?". The Times of India. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 16 May 2018. Archived from the original on 27 May 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
19. "JDS Releases CD of BJP MLA Trying to 'Buy' Its MLA". Outlook India. 21 October 2010. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
20. "Karnataka: JD-S releases CD of BJP bribery attempt". Rediff.com. 21 October 2010. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
21. "Amid Opposition show of strength, H D Kumaraswamy, G Parameshwara take oath as Karnataka Chief minis". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 24 May 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
22. "Nikhil contests from mandya". www.livemint.com. 4 March 2019. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
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27. "See defeat and victory with equanimity: H D Kumaraswamy after JD(S) tallies only 19 seats in Karnataka polls". The Economic Times. 13 May 2023. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
28. "Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha): Detailed Profile: Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy". Government of India. Archived from the original on 4 May 2012.
29. "Fifteenth Lok Sabha Members: Bioprofile". Lok Sabha. Archived from the original on 28 July 2009. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
30. "Kanakapura Lok Sabha Election Result". resultuniversity.com. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
31. "Sathanur Assembly Constituency Election Result". resultuniversity.com. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
32. "Ramanagaram Assembly Constituency Election Result". Retrieved 2 January 2023.
33. "Bangalore Rural Lok Sabha Election Result". resultuniversity.com. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
34. "IndiaVotes PC: Chikballapur 2014".
35. "Channapatna Assembly Constituency Election Result". resultuniversity.com. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
36. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mandya-lok-sabha-seat-jds-candidate-hd-kumaraswamy-101717490931887.html ^{[bare URL]}
37. The Hindu Bureau (26 March 2024). "H.D. Kumaraswamy to contest from Mandya seat in Lok Sabha elections". The Hindu. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
38. "Karnataka CM hopeful HD Kumaraswamy's Kannada film connection | People News". Zeenews.india.com. 15 March 2018. Archived from the original on 24 May 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
39. "Kumaraswamy in trouble for alleged second marriage with Kannada actor Radhika". India Today. Archived from the original on 28 April 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
40. "HC dismisses petition on bigamy against HD Kumaraswamy". Archived from the original on 19 April 2014.
41. "Ex-Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy Could Now Be Arrested". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 28 April 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
42. "Karnataka illegal mining scam: SC relief to SM Krishna, orders probe against ex-CM Dharam Singh and HD Kumaraswamy – NewsX". NewsX. 29 March 2017. Archived from the original on 28 April 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
43. "SC directs ex-K'taka CM Kumaraswamy, his wife to face trial in graft case". Deccanchronicle.com. 27 September 2016. Archived from the original on 24 May 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
44. Apurva VishwanathSharan Poovanna (28 September 2016). "Supreme Court orders H.D. Kumaraswamy to face trial in land case". Livemint. Archived from the original on 24 May 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
45. "Kumaraswamy releases CD on Mangaluru violence, blames cops and BJP govt". the week. 10 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
46. "CM Yediyurappa, HDK lock horns over Mangaluru CD". Deccan Herald. 12 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
47. "Bommai defends police action, asks HDK to submit evidence to investigators". The Hindu. 11 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
48. "Kumaraswamy is misleading inquiry with fake CD: Shobha Karandlaje". New Indian express. 11 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
49. "HD Kumaraswamy videos are 'cut and paste': BS Yediyurappa". The Times of India. 12 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
50. "After Union minister's dig, Kumaraswamy's retort: ' Pralhad Joshi cultureless … RSS choice to be next CM'". The Indian Express. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
51. "Bengaluru: Ex-CM Kumaraswamy fined Rs 68K for electricity theft". The Saint Daily. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
52. "HD Kumaraswamy Fined ₹ 68,000 For "Stealing Power", His reaction'". NDTV. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
53. "HDK Pays Rs. 68,526 Fine For 'Illegal' Power Connection". STAR OF MYSORE. 18 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
54. "HDK Pays Rs. 68,526 Fine For 'Illegal' Power Connection". Hindustan Times. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.

External links

• H. D. Kumaraswamy affidavit

Lok Sabha
Preceded by M. V. Chandrashekara Murthy	Member of Parliament for Kanakapura 1996–1998	Succeeded by M. Srinivas
New constituency	Member of Parliament for Bangalore Rural 2009–2013	Succeeded by D. K. Suresh
Karnataka Legislative Assembly
Preceded by K. Raju	Member of the Legislative Assembly for Ramanagara 2004–2009	Succeeded by Anitha Kumaraswamy
Preceded by C. M. Lingappa	Member of the Legislative Assembly for Ramanagara 2013–2018	Succeeded by K. Raju
Preceded by C. P. Yogeeshwara	Member of the Legislative Assembly for Channapatna 2018–present	Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Dharam Singh	Chief Minister of Karnataka 2006–2007	Succeeded by B. S. Yeddyurappa
Preceded by Siddaramaiah	Leader of the Opposition of Karnataka 2013–2014	Succeeded by Jagadish Shettar
Preceded by B. S. Yeddyurappa	Chief Minister of Karnataka 2018–2019	Succeeded by B. S. Yeddyurappa