TUMAKURU: For Jayachamararejendrapura Chandrashekaraiah Madhuswamy (65), becoming cabinet minister marked a phenomenal climb to his career. This is his fourth term as MLA, and first as BJP legislator.
Just a few years ago, he was not on good terms with Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who favoured Madhuswamy’s foe KS Kiran Kumar, former Kallambella MLA. But when Yediyurappa formed his own political outfit, the Karnataka Janata Paksha, Madhuswamy followed him out and became his blue-eyed boy. The Lingayat leader defended the CM both inside the House and outside.
After V Somanna, it is Madhuswamy who is looked upon as Yediyurappa’s lieutenant. The ‘desi’ man who restricts himself to white dhoti and shirt, reportedly impressed BJP national president Amit Shah, and is a consensus candidate for the cabinet.
He did his BSc and LLB and practised law for some time, but always wanted to be recognised as a farmer. He has planted about 100 coconut saplings.