BANGALORE: Among the new Karnataka Ministers are those, especially from the Bharatiya Janata Party, who have waited for decades to graduate from political activism to the administration. There are also a few, including one from the BJP, who have become ministers in their first term as legislators. The list includes Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.

The following are the profiles of the new ministers:

K.S. Eshwarappa was born on June 10, 1948 and represents Shimoga constituency in the Assembly for the third time. He is a graduate in commerce and a former President of the State BJP. He is a former chairman of the Central Silk Board.

Jagadish Shettar, born on December 17, 1955, was elected to the Assembly from Hubli Rural. The President of the State BJP was Leader of the Opposition in the last Assembly. Mr. Shettar belongs to a family with longstanding connections to the erstwhile Jan Sangh and the BJP. He is a graduate in commerce and law.

Vedavyasacharya Srinivas Acharya, born on July 6, 1940, is a doctor who earned a name in the profession along with his rise in politics in Udupi district. Dr. Acharya became an MLC in 1996.

Katta Subramanya Naidu, born on July 1, 1951, was elected from Shivajinagar in Bangalore for the second time. A graduate in arts, Mr. Naidu is a popular legislator who is actively involved in the affairs of his constituency. He is a General Secretary of the State BJP.

D.H. Shankaramurthy from Shimoga, born on April 30, 1930, is a party veteran and excellent parliamentarian. A member of the Legislative Council since 1988, he also served as Leader of the Opposition in the House till recently. Mr. Shankaramurthy, a businessman, is a graduate in science.

Ramachandra Gowda, born on December 13, 1938, has been a member of the Legislative Council since 1988. He is an engineer by education. Karajol Govinda Muktappa, born on January 25, 1951, represents Mudhol in Bagalkot district. He holds a diploma in materials management.

B. Sriramulu, first-time MLA from Bellary, is the youngest member of the new Ministry. Born on August 8, 1971, he is a graduate in arts. Mr. Sriramulu is one of those credited with the success registered by the BJP in a district that was a Congress stronghold.

C. Mahalingappa Udasi is the oldest member of the new Ministry (born on February 2, 1937). Representing Hanagal, he is in his fourth term and was a former Janata Dal Minister. An agriculturist by profession, he has studied up to the 8th standard.

Nagaraj B. Shetty, born on May 11, 1957, was elected from Bantwal. A businessman, he is a science graduate. He is a former President of CAMPCO, Mangalore Town Cooperative Society and Mangalore Stock Exchange.

Jalahalli Ramappa Ashok, born on July 1, 1957, was re-elected from Uttarahalli in Bangalore. He has served in the RSS and is a General Secretary of the State unit of the party. He is a graduate in science.

C. Chennigappa, born on January 25, 1958, was the Excise Minister in the Dharam Singh Government. He represents Koratagere. Mr. Chennigappa began his career in the police force. He later obtained degrees in arts, education and law.

D.T. Jayakumar, born on January 21, 1949, has been elected for the third time to the Assembly from Nanjangud. A graduate in science and law, Mr. Jayakumar was a police sub-inspector before entering politics. He was a Minister in the J.H. Patel and Dharam Singh governments.

N. Cheluvaraya Swamy, born on June 1, 1960, has been elected from Nagamangala for the second time. He was Minister for Health and Family Welfare in the Dharam Singh Government. An agriculturist by profession, Mr. Cheluvaraya Swamy holds a diploma in civil engineering.

Basavaraj S. Horatti, born on April 14, 1946, was a Minister in the previous government. He is representing a teachers' constituency for a record fifth term in the Legislative Council. He holds degrees in arts and physical education.

Iqbal Ansari, born on June 17, 1964, is a first-time MLA and represents Gangavati in Koppal district. A commerce graduate and a businessman, he made a mark as Minister for Medical Education in the previous government.

Y. Alkod Hanumanthappa, born on July 22, 1959, has been elected from Devadurga in Raichur district. He is an agriculturist by profession and was member of the Legislative Council.

Balachandra Lakshmanrao Jarakiholi, born on June 1, 1966, is the lone bachelor in the Ministry. He was elected from Arabhavi. He belongs to a politically powerful family engaged in the liquor business and has studied up to the 12th standard.

Bandeppa Kashampur, born on June 15, 1964, who was elected from Bidar, is engaged in the liquor industry. The S.M. Krishna Government had appointed him Chairman of the State's Backward Classes Commission.

Sharanabasappa Gowda Darshanapur, born on March 3, 1962, was elected from Shahapur in Gulbarga district. He belongs to a politically prominent family. He is an engineer by qualification.

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