Jagadish Shivappa Shettar (born 17 December 1955) is the present Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Assembly and was the 21st Chief Minister of Karnataka, a state in southern India. He is a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Earlier, he was the Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly during 2008-2009.

Jagadish Shivappa Shettar (born 17 December 1955) is the present Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Assembly and was the 21st Chief Minister of Karnataka, a state in southern India. He is a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Earlier, he was the Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly during 2008-2009.

Shettar was born on 17 December 1955 in Kerur village of Badami Taluk in Bagalkote district(formerly Bijapur district), Karnataka. His parents were Sri. S.S.Shettar and Smt. Basavanemma. His father S S Shettar, a senior activist of the Jana Sangh, was elected five times to the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation and became the first Jana Sangh Mayor of Hubli-Dharwad. His uncle Sadashiv Shettar was the first Jana Sangh leader in South India to get elected to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Hubli City in 1967. Shettar holds BCom and LLB degrees and was a practicing lawyer for 20 years at the Hubli Bar. He married Smt. Shilpa and the couple have 2 sons - Prashant and Sankalp.

Journey so far

Shettar began his public life with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and participated actively in all its activities before becoming an active member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

Journey so far

Shettar began his public life with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and participated actively in all its activities before becoming an active member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

In 1990, he became the President of Hubli Rural Unit of the BJP and in 1994, the Dharwad District Unit President of the party. He was elected to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly for the first time in 1994 and has been reelected as Member of the Legislative Assembly from Hubli-Dharwad central constituency for four successive terms. In 1996, he became the BJP State Secretary and in 1999, he was chosen as the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly following the defeat of the BJP in the state elections. Shettar was the Leader of Opposition when S.M. Krishna was the Chief minister and effectively discharged his duties.

In 2005, he was appointed as the State President of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Later, he went on to become the Revenue Minister in the Janata Dal (Secular)-BJP coalition government headed by HD Kumaraswamy in 2006.

In 2008, following the BJP victory in Karnataka assembly elections, Shettar was unanimously elected as the Speaker of the Karnataka legislative assembly. However, he resigned from this post in 2009 and was inducted into the cabinet of B.S. Yeddyurappaas Minister for Rural development and Panchayat Raj.

In 2011, following the resignation of B.S. Yeddyurappa, Shettar emerged as a major contender to the post of Chief Minister. However, he was defeated by D.V. Sadananda Gowda in the election to select the Leader of the BJP Legislature party. He continued to be a minister in the State government.

As one of the most influential leaders of North Karnataka region, he has been associated with many reforms including the Khalasa Banduri project, construction of Suvarna Vidhana soudha in Belgaum, establishment of South western railways headquarters in Hubli Dharwad etc.

In July 2012, several BJP MLAs owing allegiance to B.S. Yeddyurappa called for the replacement of D.V. Sadananda Gowda with Shettar. After much turmoil, the BJP High Command agreed to make him the Chief minister.He was sworn in on 12 July 2012.

In 2013, was recognized as the Opposition Leader of Karnataka and continuing as same till date.

Important Contributions

Actively participated in pro-farmer and pro-public movement.
Fought for development of neglected North Karnataka, responsible for holding Legislative Sessions at Belgaum and has initiated construction of Suvarna Vidhana Soudha.
Initiated establishment of Tata Motors Company at Dharwad.

Important Contributions

Actively participated in pro-farmer and pro-public movement.

Fought for development of neglected North Karnataka, responsible for holding Legislative Sessions at Belgaum and has initiated construction of Suvarna Vidhana Soudha.
Initiated establishment of Tata Motors Company at Dharwad.
Rich contribution towards establishing cordial relation between all religions.
Constant public contact, padayatra and resolving public problems.
Effectively discharged the duty as Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly.
Revenue Minister during February 2006 to October 2007. Instrumental in bringing good governance and implementation of several projects, including “Nemmadi” Project.
Served as Rural Development and Panchyat Raj Minister during November 2009 to July 2012, and has been strive for rural development.
Taken several steps to free the government lands which were illegally  encroached.

Political Background of the Family

Uncle Sadashiva Shettar was Member of Assembly from Hubli Constituency representing Jansangh party in the year 1967.

Father SS Shettar was consecutively elected as member to Hubli-Dharwad City Corporation for five times. He has also served as Mayor once. First Mayor of Jansangh in Southern India. Director of Hubli Urban Co-operative for the past fifty years. Practicing advocate for the past 50 years.