K. H. Muniyappa

Kambadahalli Hanumappa Muniyappa was born on 7 March 1948 in Kambadahalli village of present-day Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka. He completed his law degree from S.J.R.C. College, affiliated with Bangalore University, and later received an honorary doctorate from Gulbarga University in recognition of his public service.

Muniyappa entered active politics through the Indian National Congress and rose steadily within the party organization. His electoral breakthrough came in 1991 when he won the Kolar Lok Sabha constituency, beginning a remarkable parliamentary career that would span nearly three decades.

Over the next 28 years, he represented Kolar in the Lok Sabha for seven consecutive terms, making him one of the longest-serving parliamentarians from Karnataka. During the UPA governments led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he served as Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Railways, and later as Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.

After losing the 2019 Lok Sabha election, Muniyappa successfully transitioned to state politics. In 2023, he won the Devanahalli Assembly constituency and was inducted into the Siddaramaiah cabinet as Minister for Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs. He subsequently continued as a cabinet minister after D. K. Shivakumar assumed office as Chief Minister in June 2026.

Known for his grassroots connections and long electoral record, Muniyappa remains one of the Congress party's most senior Dalit leaders in Karnataka and continues to play an important role in both governance and party affairs.