M. Roopakala Shashidhar (born 20 June 1979) is an Indian politician from Karnataka. She is a member of the 2023 Karnataka Legislative Assembly representing Kolar Gold Fields constituency in Kolar district.[1] She won on an Indian National Congress ticket.[2] She defeated Ashwini Sampangi of BJP by 50,467 votes. In January 2024, she was appointed the chairperson of the Karnataka Small Scale Industries Development Board.[3]
Early life and education
editRoopakala is the daughter of K.H. Muniyappa, a seven-time Member of Parliament.[4] She finished her post-graduation in arts from Karnataka State Open University in 2016. Her husband Shashidhar J. E. works as a director in the Karnataka assembly secretariat.[5]
Her father Muniyappa, agreed to be dropped from the current Congress ministry to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Kolar, provided his daughter Roopakala is accommodated in the cabinet.[6][7]
Controversy
editIn June 2023, inaugurating the government Shakti scheme of free travel for women, she drove a bus for a short distance.[8] After criticism for allowing the MLA to drive the bus, KSRTC Kolar division ordered an inquiry.[9] She declared assets worth Rs.8 crore before the assembly elections.[10]
References
edit- ^ "Karnataka Assembly Election Results 2023: Full list of winners - India Today". 14 May 2023. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ "Roopakala M". PRS Legislative Research. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ "To placate, keep dissent in check, Congress govt in Karnataka appoints board, corporation chiefs". The Indian Express. 27 January 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ "Karnataka assembly elections 2023 results: Amid twists & turns, families taste victory". The Times of India. 14 May 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ "Husband alleges bid to harmKGF MLA's poll prospects". The Times of India. 2 May 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ DHNS. "K H Muniyappa among 3 ministers in Congress ticket shortlist". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ "LS polls: Congress likely to field 3 Ministers in reserved constituencies". The Hindu. 7 March 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ DHNS. "MLA Roopakala drives bus in KGF". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ Goudar, Mahesh M. (13 June 2023). "KGF MLA Roopakala draws criticism for driving KSRTC bus during launch of Shakti scheme". The South First. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ "Roopakala M(Indian National Congress(INC)):Constituency- KOLAR GOLD FIELD(KOLAR) - Affidavit Information of Candidate". myneta.info. Retrieved 8 March 2024.