Being a loyalist to the party rather than its main leaders has paid off for Tumkur city MLA Sogadu Shivanna, with his inclusion in the Cabinet on Thursday.
The 65-year-old leader with strong Jan Sangh roots had a brief stint as sericulture minister in the short-lived BJP-JD(S) government. His dream of getting a berth in the BJP government eluded him as former chief minister Yeddyurappa kept ignoring the four-time MLA. He established a local daily Sogadu in 1983. In 1985, the BJP fielded Shivanna for the first time. He won the Assembly polls in 1999, 2004 and 2008, but always maintained a low profile. He was born to Siddalingappa and Thimmavva at Hosalli village on April 14, 1947.