K. Chengalaraya Reddy

K. Chengalaraya Reddy
1st Chief Minister of Mysore State
In office 25 October 1947 – 30 March 1952
Preceded by	Post established
Succeeded by	Kengal Hanumanthaiah
Personal details
Born	(1902-05-04)4 May 1902 Kyasamballi, Kolar, Karnataka, India
Died	27 February 1976(1976-02-27) (aged 73)
Political party	Indian National Congress

Kyasamballi Chengalaraya Reddy (4 May 1902 – 27 February 1976) was the first Chief Minister of Karnataka (then Mysore State).

Reddy was born in a Vokkaliga family hailing from Kyasamballi village in Bangarpet taluk of Kolar district.

After graduating in law, Reddy along with other political activists, founded the Praja Paksha (Peoples' Party) in 1930. The aim of this party was to achieve responsible government in the Princely state of Mysore. The party gained support in rural areas as it largely highlighted the issues of farmers. The Praja Paksha and Praja Mitra Mandali joined to form the Praja Samyukta Paksha (Mysore People's Federation) in 1934. Reddy served as its president from 1935 to 1937. Later, the federation merged with the Indian National Congress and participated in the Indian independence movement. Reddy served as the president of Mysore Congress twice, in 1937–38 and 1946–47. He was also a member of the Constituent Assembly of India.

After independence of India in 1947, he was in the forefront of the Mysore Chalo movement seeking responsible state government in Mysore State and went on to become the first Chief Minister of the state. He served in this position from 1947 to 1952.

Reddy was elected as a member of the Mysore Legislative Assembly in 1952. Subsequently, he served as a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1952 to 1957 and as a member of the Lok Sabha, representing Kolar from 1957 to 1962. During this period, he also served as Union Minister for Housing and Supplies (1957–61) and as Union Minister for Commerce and Industries (1961–62). Later, he also served as the governor of Madhya Pradesh from 1965 to 1971.

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