The politician who held power for four terms and two and a half days

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: B.S. Yediyurappa’s political career is a masterclass in resilience and volatility. From leading the BJP to its first South Indian victory to resigning after just two days in office, his tenure in Karnataka was defined by sudden shifts in power, legal battles, and intense political maneuvering.

Born in 1943 in the village of Bookanakere, Yediyurappa’s trajectory from a rice mill clerk in 1965 to a dominant political figure is marked by significant fluctuations. He served four terms as Chief Minister of Karnataka between 2007 and 2022, though his time in office was rarely continuous. His leadership was characterized by both expansion and fragmentation; in 2012, citing dissatisfaction with the BJP high command, he left to form the Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP), only to merge it back into the BJP in 2014.

His career has seen extreme highs and lows. In 2008, he achieved a historic victory, making the BJP the first party to form a state government in South India. However, his path was frequently interrupted by legal and political crises. In 2011, he resigned following an indictment in a corruption case involving illegal mining and land deals. Perhaps most strikingly, in 2018, he became one of India's shortest-serving chief ministers, resigning just two and a half days after being sworn in because he could not secure a majority in the Assembly.

Beyond the power struggles, his administration implemented significant social and legislative changes. Under his leadership, Karnataka became the first Indian state to provide 1 per cent horizontal reservation for transgender communities in government services. He also oversaw the passage of the Anti Cow-Slulaughter Bill 2020. Despite facing severe natural disasters, such as the 2019 floods that saw rainfall nearly five times the normal level, and navigating complex interstate water disputes over the Mekedatu project, he remained a central figure in Karnataka politics until his resignation in July 2021, citing the party's 75-year age limit.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• A veteran politician's two-decade journey through Karnataka's complex political landscape and power shifts
• A political chameleon, H. D. Kumaraswamy has navigated Karnataka's volatile coalitions for decades.
• How a master political strategist became the 18th Chief Minister of Karnataka
• The politician who held the chief ministership for just five days
• The political survival of a man who became his own party
• Bacolod is the Philippine sugar capital, a city built on a stony hill.
• Bắc Ninh: A City of Northern Serenity That Recently Vanished From the Map
• The Hindu goddess who turns enemies into silence and power into its opposite
• How a desert settlement in Iraq became a thriving merchant hub for centuries
• Once the heart of a vast empire, Bago now guards Myanmar's tallest pagoda.
• From Okinawan roots to global stages, Awich claims the hip hop throne
• From Urmia to the World Stage: The Rise of Kickboxer Bahram Rajabzadeh

More in Asia · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics