Yellapur: After delimitation of Yellapur Assembly Constituency, it is for the first time that an MLA from Yellapur has become a minister. On Thursday, MLA Shivaram Hebbar took oath as a minister in Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa-led State cabinet, creating new hope of development among the people.

From working as a lorry cleaner and later buying a lorry and becoming its driver, Hebbar today has been ‘promoted’ to a very high level in a democratic system. 

Hailing from a family of farmers, Hebbar has faced several challenges and struggles in his life. But it is his self-confidence which has elevated him to such
a position today.

From agri family

Son of Kaveri and Mahabaleshwar of Navilgon in Honnavar taluk, Shivaram’s life flourished in Yellapur. In the 1970s, Shivaram thought of doing business along with agriculture. He then began working as a cleaner in a relative’s lorry. Later, he purchased a lorry of his own and became a lorry driver.

In 1983, he was elected to Yellapur APMC and this was his maiden entry to public life. Later, he entered the field of politics and worked as chairman of several co-operatives and KDCC Bank.

When the Congress party was at its peak in Uttara Kannada district, he became the district unit president of the BJP and worked for its growth in the district. But due to some difference of opinions among the leaders, he quit BJP and joined the Congress. In 2008, he contested the Yellapur-Mundgod Assembly elections as a Congress candidate against V S Patil but lost.

Inspite of the failure, he kept on touring the constituency and building network of people. In 2013 and 2018, he contested the Assembly elections and won. But he rebelled against the Congress and came back to BJP to contest the 2019 by-elections for the Assembly. He once again won the by-elections defeating Bhimanna Naik of the Congress.

Daring seasoned leader

Hebbar even dared MLA R V Deshpande, who ruled the district for nearly five decades, in politics. After he won the 2018 Assembly elections, he had openly expressed ire against Deshpande who was the district in-charge minister then. During several meetings, he had said that seniors must make way for juniors to grow.

Now, Hebbar’s luck seems to be shining. From MLA, he has become the District In-charge minister while Deshpande who was the District In-charge Minister is an MLA of Haliyal.

‘Lucky’ constituency

Yellapur-Mundgod Constituency was formed during the delimitation that took place during the 2008 Assembly elections. Before that, Yellapur taluk used to come under Ankola constituency and Mundgod under Haliyal. Interestingly, both Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, who entered the Vidhan Soudha as Ankola MLA and R V Deshpande who was elected from Haliyal, have become district in-charge ministers earlier. After the new constituency was formed, it is for the first time that an MLA from here has become district in-charge minister.