In a surprising turn of events, BJP leader V Somanna, who faced a crushing defeat against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the Assembly polls last year, has been inducted into the new Union Council of Ministers led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This development marks a significant reversal of fortune for Somanna, who was reportedly disheartened and rumored to be considering a shift to the Congress party after feeling marginalized within the BJP leading up to the 2023 Assembly elections.
Despite the speculations, the seasoned politician had firmly denied any plans of defection.
Somanna's political career saw a resurgence when he secured a resounding victory in the Tumkur Lok Sabha constituency during the recent general elections.
He defeated Congress candidate S P Muddahanumegowda by a substantial margin of 1,75,594 votes, reaffirming his political influence and support base.
The 73-year-old Lingayat leader, known for his humble beginnings as a member of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) from 1983 to 1987, has traversed a varied political path. He has held positions in all three major political parties in Karnataka—Janata Dal (erstwhile), Congress, and BJP.
Somanna's journey in state politics includes multiple terms as an MLA and various ministerial roles. He was notably the Housing Minister in the previous BJP government in Karnataka and faced tough electoral battles in the 2023 Assembly polls, contesting unsuccessfully from Varuna, Siddaramaiah's stronghold, and Chamarajanagar against C Puttarangashetty.
Born on July 20, 1951, in Doddamaralavadi of Ramanagar district, Somanna began his political career with the Janata Dal, getting elected as the MLA from Binnypet in 1994.
His subsequent roles included serving as the Minister for Prisons and Minister for Bangalore Urban Development from 1996 to 1999.
After a stint as an independent candidate, he joined the Congress and was elected from Binnypet again in 2004.
Somanna's political trajectory took a pivotal turn when he switched to the BJP in 2008, a move that initially rewarded him with a ministerial post.
However, he had to resign after a defeat in the by-polls. From 2010 to 2018, he was a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council, and from 2018 to 2023, he represented the BJP in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Govindaraj Nagar.
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