Celebrating 66 Years of H.D. Kumaraswamy: A Political Journey

A Milestone Birthday

On December 16, H.D. Kumaraswamy, the 12th Chief Minister of Karnataka, is celebrating his 66th birthday. Apart from his political career, he is also engaged in business. Kumaraswamy served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly from 2013 to 2014 and has previously held the position of president of the Janata Dal (Secular). Let's explore some intriguing aspects of his life on this special occasion.

Early Life and Family Background

H.D. Kumaraswamy was born on December 16, 1959, in Karnataka. His full name is Haradanahalli Devagowda Kumaraswamy. He is the son of H.D. Deve Gowda, a former Prime Minister of India and Chief Minister of Karnataka, and his mother is Chennamma.

Political Career

Kumaraswamy inherited his political legacy from his father, which eased his entry into politics. His political journey began with a victory in the 1996 general elections from Kanakapura. However, he faced defeat in the subsequent elections in 1998 and 1999. It wasn't until 2004 that he secured a win, representing the Ramnagar constituency.

Tenure as Chief Minister

Kumaraswamy first assumed the role of Chief Minister of Karnataka on February 4, 2006, serving until October 9, 2007. His tenure was marked by a power-sharing agreement with the BJP, which he later refused to honor, leading to his resignation. Despite this, he later reached an agreement with the BJP, although tensions arose over the distribution of power with B.S. Yediyurappa. In November 2014, he was elected as the president of the Karnataka Janata Dal (Secular). In the 2023 elections, he achieved a significant victory from the Channapatna constituency and won the Mandya Lok Sabha seat in 2024. Due to the alliance between the BJP and the Janata Dal, Kumaraswamy was appointed as the Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises in the third Modi cabinet on June 9, 2024.