Munirathna
Munirathna Naidu, commonly known as Munirathna, is an Indian film producer-turned-politician[1] from Karnataka and a member of the Indian National Congress till 2019. He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on 14 November 2019. He was elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Karnataka from Rajarajeshwari Nagar in the year 2013 and 2018.[2][3]
Munirathna | |
---|---|
Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly | |
In office 13 May 2013 – 28 July 2019 | |
Preceded by | Position Established |
Succeeded by | Vacant |
Constituency | Rajarajeshwari Nagar |
Personal details | |
Born | Muniratna Naidu |
Political party | Bharatiya Janata party (2019–present) |
Other political affiliations | Indian National Congress (till 2019) |
Occupation | Film producer, politician |
Film Career | |
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Notable work | Raktha Kanneeru, Kurukshetra, Aunty Preethse, Anatharu, Katari Veera Surasundarangi. |
Notable films produced by Munirathna include Aunty Preethse, Raktha Kanneeru, Anatharu, Katari Veera Surasundarangi and Kurukshetra.[4]
Filmography
- Aunty Preethse (2001)
- Raktha Kanneeru (2003)
- Anatharu (2007)
- Katari Veera Surasundarangi (2012)
- Munirathna Kurukshetra (2019)
Controversies
In December 2014, Lokayukta police recovered 1016 BBMP files related to Rajarajeshwari Nagar constituency from Munirathna's house in Vyalikaval.[5][6]
In March 2018, Munirathna was named in a ₹1500 crore BBMP fake bill chargesheet by the Crime Investigation Department.[7] In the chargesheet, Munirathna, who was working as a civil contractor in 2008–09, was found "colluding with BBMP officials and swindling [money] by executing poor quality road work."[8]
Days before the 2018 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election in May 2018, Bangalore Police booked a criminal case against Munirathna after the Election Commission found around 10,000 fake voter ID cards in an apartment in Jalahalli.[9] As a result of this scandal the election in the Rajarajeshwari Nagar constituency was postponed to 28 May, with Munirathna emerging victorious.[10]
Operation Kamala
“Operation Kamala” (hybrid word from the English Operation and the Kannada Kamala meaning "Lotus" an Election symbol of BJP.) was a term coined in 2008, when the BJP was three seats short of majority to form the government in Karnataka under B. S. Yeddyurappa. Former minister and minelord G. Janardhana Reddy worked out a method to circumvent the Anti-Defection Law and secured the support of legislators needed to take BJP past the majority mark. Opposition parties alleged that the BJP is now expanding Operation Kamala nationwide, while BJP continues to deny this allegation.[11][12]
He was one of the 15 MLAs fell for Operation Kamala and resigned in July 2019, effectively bringing down the H. D. Kumaraswamy-led coalition government of Indian National Congress and Janata Dal (Secular).[13]
References
- SM, Shashiprasad (27 April 2018). "Can Munirathna Naidu beat incumbency?". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
- "RR Nagar bypoll: INC's Munirathna set to retain crucial seat; contractor-turned-politico overcomes Vokkaliga challenge". Firstpost.com. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
- "RR Nagar election result 2018 live updates: Congress candidate Muniratna wins by 41162 votes". The Times of India. 31 May 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
- "Check out lists of Movies by #Munirathna #Filmography". FilmiBeat.com. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
- "I am ready to face CBI probe, says RR Nagar MLA Muniratna". Deccan Herald. 1 January 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
- "Lokayukta cops seek info on Vyalikaval house". Deccan Herald. 1 January 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 August 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2019.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "MLA Munirathna, 3 others chargesheeted in fake bill scam". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
- "Karnataka elections: RR Nagar Congress MLA, 13 others booked in 'fake' voter ID card case". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
- "RR Nagar polls: Congress wins by 41162 votes". Aninews.in. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
- Aji, Sowmya (16 May 2018). "After falling short of numbers, BJP revisits 'Operation Kamala' of 2008" – via The Economic Times.
- "Congress in Pondy announces protest against "horse trading" by BJP in Karnataka, Goa". 13 July 2019 – via The Economic Times.
- "The 15 MLAs who brought down Kumaraswamy government". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 28 July 2019.