Sadananda Gowda was born to Sri Venkappa Gowda and Smt Kamala, on 18th March 1953 at Devaragunda, in a backward village Mandekolu in Sullia Taluk, Dakshina Kannada district.
He completed his High School education at Board High School, Sullia and graduated in B.Sc. from St.Pilomena’s College, Puttur. He obtained his degree in Law from Vaikunta Baliga College of Law . As a student, he was very active in student Union activities and was known for his oratory skills. He became General Secretary of the Student Union of the Law College. Subsequently he became the District General Secretary of ABVP.
In 1976, he started practicing law both at Sullia and Puttur. He was a Public Prosecutor for a brief period in Sirsi, Uttara Kannada District, but resigned his job to concentrate on social service and political career.
He began his political career as a member of the Jan Sangh. He was President of the party’s Sullia Assembly segment. After the split of the Janata Party, he became a member of the BJP. Later on he served the BJP as Dakshina Kannada BJP Yuva Morcha President, Dakshina Kannada BJP Vice-President, State BJP Yuva Morcha Secretary (1983-88), State BJP Secretary (2003-04) and National Secretary of the party (2004).
He was elected to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly in 1994 and 1999 from the Puttur Assembly Constituency in Dakshina Kannada. He became Deputy Leader of the Opposition in his second term as MLA. He has served in various committees of the Karnataka State Legislature including the Cell for preparing Draft Bill on prohibiting Atrocities on Women, the Committee of Energy, Fuel and Power, and the Committee for Public Undertaking. He was nominated as the President of the Public Accounts Committee in 2003.
He was elected to the 14th Lok Sabha in 2004 from the Mangalore Lok Sabha Constituency, defeating Sri Veerappa Moily of the Indian National Congress by a margin of 32,314 votes. In 2009, the party shifted him to Udupi-Chikmagalur Constituency. In Parliament, he was on the Committee on Science & Technology, Environment & Forests. In the 14th Lok Sabha, he was a member of the Committee on Commerce. Government of India had appointed him as Director of Coffee Board during January 2005.
In 2006, Sadananda Gowda was appointed as President of Karnataka State BJP. He earned National Prominence being the President when BJP won the assembly election for the first time in South India in May 2008.
He was elected to the 15th Lok Sabha from Udupi Chikmagalur Constituency before he became the Chief Minister of Karnataka.
He was chosen as the Chief Minister of Karnataka in Augsut 2011 following the resignation of his mentor Shri B.S.Yeddyurappa. As Chief Minister, he strived hard to improve the image of his party that had been tarnished due to allegations of corruption. He introduced various schemes such as Sakaala, aimed at providing time bound services at government offices.
2013 Assembly Elections
After suffering big loss in May 2013 elections, BJP elected D.V.Sadananda Gowda as the opposition leader of legislative council in Karnataka.
Co-operative field
Sadananda Gowda has served in the Co-operative movement in Karnataka in various capacities. He was the Vice President of SCDCC Bank, Mangalore. Director, SKACM Society, Mangalore, President PLD Bank Sullia and also he has served as the Director CAMPCO, Mangalore from 1991 to 1994. President, Mandekolu S.C.Society, Mandekolu, Sullia and as the Member, State PLD Bank Staff Selection Committee in the year 1989-90.
Labour movement
Sadananda Gowda has worked for the labour movement being the General Secretary of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Puttur Division and President of Sullia Taluk Auto Ricksaw Dirvers and Owners Union.
Family and personal life
Sadananda Gowda is married to Datty and has a son, Karthik Gowda who is an Engineer. His elder son, Kaushik Gowda, who was medical student, died in a road accident near Puttur in 2003. He is interested in Yakshagana, Folk Arts of Dakshina Kannada and also in Shuttle Badminton and Tennis.
Positions held
1983-1988 State Secretary, BJP Yuva Morcha, Karnataka
1994-2004 Member, Karnataka Legislative Assembly (two terms)
1995-1996 Member, Cell for preparing Draft Bill on Prohibiting atrocities on Women, Government of Karnataka.
1999-2004 Deputy Leader of Opposition, Karnataka Legislative Assembly
1999-2001 Member, Committee on Commerce
2001-2002 Member, Committee for Energy, Fuel & Power, Karnataka Legislative Assembly.
2002-2003 Member, Public Undertaking Committee, Karnataka Legislative Assembly
2003-2004 President, Public Accounts Committee, Karnataka Legislative Assembly.
2004 Elected to 14th Lok Sabha.
2006-2010 State President, BJP, Karnataka
2006-2009 Member, Committee on Commerce
2006 onwards Member, Sub-committee of the department Related Parliamentary standing Committee on Commerce for Special Economic zones.
2009 Elected to 15th Lok Sabha
2011-2012 Elected as 20th Chief Minister of Karnataka
2013 Elected as the Leader of opposition of Karnataka Legislative Council
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