Preceded by B. S. Yeddyurappa Political party Bharatiya Janata Party Residence Bengaluru | Succeeded by vacant Party Bharatiya Janata Party | |
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Born July 1, 1957 (age 59) ( 1957-07-01 ) | ||
R ashoka bharatiya janata party in karnataka
R. Ashoka is a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Karnataka. He was one of the Deputy Chief ministers of the state in the BJP government headed by Jagadish Shettar from 2012 to 2013. Hailing from the dominant Vokkaliga community, He represents the Padmanabhanagar constituency of Bangalore city in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.
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Early political career
During Emergency (1975–77), he was arrested and detained in prison along with senior leaders like L.K. Advani at the Central Jail in Bengaluru. He was first elected to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly in the 1997 by-Elections from Uttarahalli Constituency, which was the biggest state legislature constituency in India. He was re-elected from the same constituency in 1999 and 2004 general election. During these days, he was also associated with the youth wing of the party.
Positions held
In 2008, he became the Minister of Health in the Bharatiya Janata Party-Janata Dal (Secular) (BJP-JD(S)) coalition government. As minister, he implemented novel schemes and also streamlined the administration of the department. He undertook surprise visits to the hospitals to inspect and review their functioning. Also, he raided many private clinics in rural areas and tried to eliminate the menace of fake medical practitioners in the state.
As Minister of Transport in the Yeddyurappa Government from 2008 onwards, he was instrumental in modernizing the department and also using innovative hi-tech methods to automate the working of the department. Under his leadership, the transport department also came up with some advanced public transport vehicles and the issue of bus passes and concessions for deserving candidates was made easier.
When Jagadish Shettar became Chief Minister in June 2012, Ashoka was appointed as one of the two Deputy chief ministers and entrusted with the ministries of Home and Transport in the Government of Karnataka.
Ashoka is regarded as one of the most influential leaders of the BJP in Bangalore city and has steered the party to historic victories in the 2010 and 2015 BBMP elections.