BENGALURU: Karnataka’s politics has been marked by instability, resignations, coalition collapses and leadership changes so much so that, since 1956, only S Nijalingappa (1962-68), D Devaraj Urs (1972-77) and Siddaramaiah (2013-18) have completed full five-year tenures.1958 | S Nijalingappa | The veteran Congressman assumed charge as CM after the unification of Mysore state but rebellion by Lingayat MLAs in Congress disrupted his administration. Congress’ high command sided with the rebels and Nijalingappa was forced to resign well before completing his term. He was replaced by BD Jatti.1971 | Veerendra Patil | Following a split in Congress party in 1969, Lingayat representative Veerendra Patil, who aligned with Congress (Organisation) faction, became CM. However, after Indira Gandhi secured a landslide victory in the 1971 general elections, several ministers and MLAs defected to her faction. The govt lost its majority and collapsed, paving the way for the first imposition of President’s Rule in Karnataka.1980 | D Devaraj Urs | Widely regarded as a mass leader of backward communities, Urs became CM for a second term. After falling out with Indira Gandhi, Urs floated his own faction, Congress (Urs). But when Indira Gandhi returned to the helm at the Centre in 1980, several MLAs from Urs’ faction shifted allegiance to the Indira-led Congress. Urs’ govt lost its majority and he resigned. He was succeeded by R Gundu Rao.1988 | Ramakrishna Hegde | He was Karnataka’s first non-Congress CM, but resigned amid allegations of phone tapping involving opposition leaders and dissenters in his own party. Claiming moral responsibility, Hegde stepped down midway through his term. SR Bommai succeeded him.1990 | Veerendra Patil | Congress secured a thumping win in the 1989 elections, and Veerendra Patil was again chosen as CM. However, within a year, communal clashes in Channapatna and Davanagere triggered a major law-and-order crisis. Patil, meanwhile, was recovering from paralysis in hospital. During a visit to Karnataka, Congress president Rajiv Gandhi announced at Bengaluru airport that Patil would be replaced. S Bangarappa was made CM.1992 | S Bangarappa | His tenure was marred by allegations of corruption and internal rebellion. Dissidents led by senior functionary M Veerappa Moily openly campaigned against him. Alarmed by the turmoil, Congress asked Bangarappa to resign and appointed Veerappa Moily as CM.1996 | HD Deve Gowda | After Janata Dal defeated Congress in 1994, HD Deve Gowda was sworn in as CM. But a fractured verdict in the 1996 general elections saw Gowda chosen as PM. He resigned as CM, paving the way for JH Patel to take charge.2006 | N Dharam Singh | Following a fractured mandate in the 2004 assembly polls, Congress formed a coalition govt with JD(S), led by Dharam Singh. But in 2006, JD(S) members led by HD Kumaraswamy withdrew support and aligned with BJP. Singh resigned, paving the way for Kumaraswamy to become CM.2007 | HD Kumaraswamy | After completing 20 months in office, Kumaraswamy refused to transfer authority to BJP as per a coalition agreement. He resigned amid turmoil, following which BS Yediyurappa was sworn in as CM. However, Yediyurappa’s govt lasted only seven days after JD(S) withdrew support.2008–2013 | BS Yediyurappa | DV Sadananda Gowda | Jagadish Shettar | BJP formed its first govt in south India in 2008, with Yediyurappa as CM. But when the Lokayukta registered an FIR against him in the illegal mining case in 2011, BJP high command asked him to quit. Sadananda Gowda succeeded him but resigned within 11 months due to resistance from his own party legislators. Jagadish Shettar was CM for the final year of the govt’s term.2019–2023 | HD Kumaraswamy | BS Yediyurappa | Basavaraj Bommai | Following a hung verdict in 2018, Congress again partnered with JD(S) and Kumaraswamy took oath as CM. But rebellion and differences triggered the resignation of 17 MLAs and the govt lost its majority a year later. Yediyurappa returned as CM for the fourth time, but he too was asked to step down in 2021, and BJP’s high command replaced him with Basavaraj Bommai.
