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Revision as of 06:13, 19 March 2012 by Viswanathasagar (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)R. Gundu Rao ( Kannada: ಗುಂಡೂ ರಾಯ ) (1935–1993) was Chief Minister of Karnataka state, India from 1980 to 1983.
Rao was born in Kushalanagara of Kodagu district. His parents were K. Rama Rao and Chinnamma. His father was a Headmaster in a local school. He studied in Ammathi High school. He was a well-known Ball Badminton Player in Kodagu and has won numerous trophies.
He began his political career as Town Municipality President of Kushalanagar. Later, He was elected as MLA from Somwarpet in 1972 and 1978. He became the first Brahmin Chief minister of Karnataka after the collapse of the Devaraj Urs government. As Chief Minister, Gundu Rao built Majestic bus station in Bangalore, which is known today as Kempe Gowda bus station. He built the bus station at a strategic place near the Bangalore city railway station where people coming from other places either by bus or train can alight and board city buses to different parts of Bangalore. The city bus station was built in a semicircular fashion, so that non-natives can easily find bus routes and stops just by walking on the foot bridge provided at the diameter of semicircle. This bus station is said to be unique in whole of Asia. He also sanctioned numerous Medical and Engineering Colleges in Karnataka. The Cauvery IInd Stage was completed within a year and half during his tenure. He was also responsible for the construction of the "Kala Mandira" in Mysore. The Gokak agitation seeking supremacy for Kannada in the administration and education of Karnataka occurred during his tenure.
Gundu Rao was also a Member of Parliament from Bangalore South Constituency from 1989 to 1991. He died of leukemia in London on 22 August 1993, aged 57. His son Dinesh Gundu rao is a current legislator from Bangalore.
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