Kengal Hanumanthaiah - Political Career

Political Career

At that time, the independence movement was steadily growing and at the center stage of the movement was the Indian National Congress led by Mahatma Gandhi. Dr. P. Tandon, the then President of Indian National Congress, advised Hanumanthaiah to give up his active practice at the bar and to devote himself to the freedom struggle. With the inspiration of Gandhiji and the persuasion of Tandon, Hanumanthaiah joined the freedom movement and became very active in the then Mysore Congress. During the movement, he was jailed more than 9 times. Also, he was recognised as a sincere fighter of the nationalist cause and gradually grew in stature as a leader. He was unanimously elected as the leader of the Parliamentary Party wing of the Congress Party in Mysore Assembly in the year 1948. Also, he was a member of the historic Constituent Assembly of India.

He became the second Chief minister of Mysore state in 1952, following the victory of the Congress party in the 1st general elections. Having philanthropic characteristics and immense administrative capabilities, his tenure as Chief Minister was marked by the efficient state-of-affairs and activities aimed at uplifting the rural population of the state and promoting economic growth. However, Hanumanthaiah's major contribution was the construction of the "Vidhana Soudha", the largest legislature-cum-office building in India at that time. His other key achievement was the Unification of Karnataka. He played a pivotal role in uniting the Kannada speaking areas within the boundaries of a single state.