Kyasamballi Chengalaraya Reddy is remembered today as the first chief minister of Mysore state. K.C. Reddy as he is popularly known served as the chief minister between 25th October 1947 and 30th March 1952. He was succeeded by Kengal Hanumanthaiah.
Political Milestones of K. Chengalaraya Reddy
K.C. Reddy, born on the 4th of May, was a revolutionary right from a very young age. Born into a Vokkaliga family, K.C. Reddy had humble beginnings in Kyasamballi Village, Kolar district. He founded the “Praja Paksha” or people’s party right after graduating law school in 1930. The party’s main aim was to install a stable government in the Princely State of Mysore.
Praja Paksha gathered the support of the locals as their manifesto supported the cause of the local farmers. Praja Paksha joined forces with Praja Mitra Mandali and united as the Praja Samyuktha Paksha or Mysore People’s Federation in 1934. He served as the president for Mysore People’s Federation from 1935 to 1937. After 1937, the federation joined forces with the Indian National Congress in the fight for freedom.
Reddy led the Mysore Congress twice between 1937-38 and 1946-47. Being a member of the Constituent Assembly of India was yet another feather in his cap of political achievements. Once India got her independence in 1947, he spearheaded the movement to establish a stable government in Mysore.
K.C. Reddy was the first Chief Minister of Mysore State. His contribution to the democratic form of government in the current day and age is indispensable. After his term as Chief Minister, he was elected to be a member of the Mysore Legislative Assembly in the year 1952. His political capacities after holding office as Chief Minister are listed below:
- Member of Rajya Sabha from 1952-1957
- Member of Lok Sabha (representing Kolar) from 1957-1962
- Union Minister for housing and supplies from 1957-1961
- Union Minister for commerce and industries from 1961 to 1962.
- Governor of Madhya Pradesh from 1965-1971.
The various posts and offices he held throughout his life gave him experience and a zeal that is hard to come by. K.C. Reddy is one of the few men who achieved what they set out to achieve. He passed away on the 27th of February 1976 at age 73.
Posthumous Recognition
K.C. Reddy was recognized for his role in replacing the Maharaja’s rule with a stable government at his birth centenary. Organized by the State government at the Banquet hall of Vidhana Soudha, the 100th birth anniversary celebrations was a reminiscence of the contributions that K.C. Reddy made to the government.
S.M. Krishna, the chief minister at the time, upheld the values and courage that K.C. Reddy has come to stand for today. He said that K.C. Reddy was a political model worthy of emulation by the current crop of politicians.
He was one of the very few politicians who did not cling to power, seeking re-election. He was the rare politician, a potent combination of steely nerve, courage against all odds and a pioneering spirit that never backed down.
He entered politics in order to achieve a stable government and despite various forces at work against him, he saw his dream reach fulfilment. His dream is today the government structure that is of the people, for the people and by the people.
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