Darshan Puttannaiah

Darshan Puttannaiah was born in 1977 in Mandya district, Karnataka, to farmer leader K. S. Puttannaiah and Suneetha Puttannaiah. He completed his Bachelor of Technology from Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering, Mysuru, and initially worked in the United States before returning to India.

His entry into politics was influenced by his father’s legacy and the farmers’ movement in Karnataka. After his father’s death ahead of the 2018 elections, he stepped into active politics, aligning with farmer-centric and alternative political platforms.

In 2018, he contested the Karnataka Assembly elections from Melukote constituency representing Swaraj India but lost to JD(S) candidate C. S. Puttaraju. Despite the defeat, he remained active in regional politics and farmer-related issues.

He later became associated with the Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha and emerged as one of its key leaders. In the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, he contested again from Melukote and won, with support from the Indian National Congress, which did not field a candidate in that seat.

As an MLA, he represents a continuation of grassroots, farmer-oriented politics in the Mandya region. His political approach emphasizes agrarian issues, regional representation, and alternative political frameworks beyond mainstream party structures.

As of 2026, he continues to serve as MLA from Melukote and remains active in Karnataka’s political landscape, particularly in farmer-centric movements and regional political initiatives.