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. She won on an Indian National Congress ticket. 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.
Early life and education
Roopakala is the daughter of K.H. Muniyappa, a seven-time Member of Parliament. 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.
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.
Controversy
In June 2023, inaugurating the government Shakti scheme of free travel for women, she drove a bus for a short distance. After criticism for allowing the MLA to drive the bus, KSRTC Kolar division ordered an inquiry. She declared assets worth Rs.8 crore before the assembly elections.
References
- "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.