K. Chengalaraya Reddy

When India became free in 1947, Mysore was still a princely state. Its people wanted a government they could elect. K. Chengalaraya Reddy had been asking for that for years.

In October 1947 he became the head of Mysore’s first ministry. Over the next four years he led the state from princely rule towards its first elections.

1Who was K. Chengalaraya Reddy?

Kyasamballi Chengalaraya Reddy was born on 4 May 1902. His village, Kyasamballi, is in the Kolar district of Mysore State. He came from a Reddy farming family.

He studied law and then turned to public work. Even as a boy he took part in protests against British rule, say his biographers. Later he turned his attention to the princely government at home.

• Born 4 May 1902 at Kyasamballi, Kolar district.
• Trained as a lawyer.
• Later a member of the Constituent Assembly.

2How did he build a party for reform?

In 1930 Reddy and other activists founded the Praja Paksha, or People’s Party. It sought responsible government in Mysore. It spoke for farmers and gained support in the villages.

In 1934 it joined the Praja Mitra Mandali. Together they formed the Praja Samyukta Paksha, also called the Mysore People’s Federation. Reddy served as its president from 1935 to 1937.

The Federation later merged with the Indian National Congress. Reddy then served twice as president of the Mysore Congress. His terms were 1937 to 1938 and 1946 to 1947.

• Founded the Praja Paksha in 1930.
• Merged with the Praja Mitra Mandali in 1934.
• President of the new body, 1935 to 1937.
• Twice president of the Mysore Congress.

3How did he become Mysore’s first head?

After independence in 1947, Reddy led the Mysore Chalo movement. It asked for an elected, responsible government in Mysore State. The Maharaja agreed, and a ministry was formed.

Accounts say Reddy took charge of the first Council of Ministers on 25 October 1947. This was an interim ministry, formed before any general election. It lasted until Mysore held its first elections in 1952.

At first his title was Prime Minister, like other princely states. Sources say it became Chief Minister around the time India became a republic in January 1950. Some sources just call him Mysore’s first Chief Minister for the whole term from 1947 to 1952.

Kengal Hanumanthaiah took over after the election, in March 1952.

• Led the Mysore Chalo movement after 1947.
• First ministry formed in October 1947; interim.
• Title: Prime Minister, later Chief Minister.
• Succeeded by Kengal Hanumanthaiah in March 1952.
• Read about princely-state integration.

4Who was in his first cabinet?

The legacy account lists a cabinet of Congress members. T. Mariappa held Home and other portfolios. H. C. Dasappa took Finance and Industries. H. Siddaiah, K. T. Bhashyam and D. H. Chandrasekhariaya held the other posts.

Their work was big. They had to turn a princely state’s machinery into a modern, elected one. Independent India was only a few months old.

• Every minister belonged to the Indian National Congress.
• H. C. Dasappa held Finance and Industries.
• T. Mariappa held Home.
• Task: change princely machinery into an elected one.

5What did he do after 1952?

In 1952 Reddy won a seat in the Mysore Assembly, from Bangarapet. He then served in the Rajya Sabha from 1952 to 1957. In 1957 he won the Kolar seat and sat in the Lok Sabha until 1962.

In those years he was Union Minister for Housing and Supplies from 1957 to 1961. Then he served as Union Minister for Commerce and Industry from 1961 to 1962.

He later served as Governor of Madhya Pradesh from 1965 to 1971. He died on 27 February 1976, aged 73.

Mysore itself changed too. It was enlarged in 1956 when states were redrawn. It was renamed Karnataka in 1973. A 30-kilometre stretch of Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road, from Hebbal to Central Silk Board, now bears his name.

• Rajya Sabha member, 1952 to 1957.
• Union Minister, Housing and Supplies, 1957 to 1961.
• Union Minister, Commerce and Industry, 1961 to 1962.
• Governor of Madhya Pradesh, 1965 to 1971.
• Mysore was renamed Karnataka in 1973.
• Read about the States Reorganisation Commission.

6What are the exam traps?

Questions may ask whether he was Mysore’s first Prime Minister or first Chief Minister.

• He held both titles in one continuous term, so he is not two people.
• Kengal Hanumanthaiah came after him, in 1952.
• Reorganisation was in 1956; the new name Karnataka came in 1973.
• His ministry was interim, formed before any election.