Published May 19, 2023 | 11:00 AM ⚊ Updated May 19, 2023 | 11:00 AM
A young Siddaramaiah started school late. He was admitted straight to Class IV after spending several years learning Veera Makkala Kunitha, a temple dance form. He later said the financial condition at home delayed his schooling since he had to tend to cattle.
Siddaramaiah later successfully pursued B.Sc and LL.B.
Born into the backward Kuruba (shepherd) community, he is often dubbed tagaru (ram) and huliya (tiger), as he rose in stature to become an icon of sorts among Karnataka’s backward communities.
Opponents taunted him referring to his community. An unperturbed Siddaramaiah often recalled the jibes, of him counting sheep, shot at him. The man who “counted sheep” later went on to present 13 state budgets — six of them as chief minister.
Here are some snapshots from a long and successful political career.
