Dinakar Shetty

Dinakar Keshav Shetty was born on 21 July 1957 in Kumta, Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka. He completed his higher secondary education in commerce from D.A.V. Baaliga Commerce College, Kumta, before entering public life. Before joining politics, he was engaged in business and social activities, which helped him establish a strong connection with people across the Kumta region.

Shetty began his political journey with the Janata Dal (Secular) and made his electoral debut in the 2008 Karnataka Assembly election from the Kumta constituency. He won the election by a slender margin of just 20 votes, one of the closest victories recorded in the state that year. Although he lost the seat in the 2013 Assembly election, he continued to remain active in public life and maintained his political presence in Uttara Kannada.

He later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a move that marked a significant phase in his political career. Contesting on a BJP ticket in the 2018 Karnataka Assembly election, he secured a decisive victory from Kumta by a margin of more than 32,000 votes. During his tenure, he served as the Chairperson of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly Committee on Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare, contributing to legislative oversight and discussions relating to social welfare and inclusive development.

In the 2023 Karnataka Assembly election, Shetty successfully defended his Kumta seat in a closely fought contest, defeating his nearest rival by 676 votes. The victory reaffirmed his political influence in the constituency and enabled him to continue representing the coastal region in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. Throughout his career, he has focused on constituency development, public outreach, and legislative responsibilities while remaining an active member of the BJP's state organization.

As of 2026, Dinakar Keshav Shetty continues to serve as the BJP MLA from Kumta and remains one of the party's prominent leaders in the Uttara Kannada district.