Anand Singh (Karnataka politician)
Anand Prithviraj Singh is an Indian politician from the state of Karnataka. He is the Minister for Forest and Ecology, Government of Karnataka.
Anand Singh | |
|---|---|
| Minister for Forest department Minister of Ecology & Environment department Government of Karnataka | |
| Assumed office 6 February 2020 | |
| Chief Minister | B. S. Yediyurappa |
| Preceded by | C. C. Patil, BJP |
| Tourism minister Government of Karnataka | |
| In office 2010–2013 | |
| Preceded by | G. Janardhana Reddy |
| Succeeded by | R. V. Deshpande |
| Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly | |
| Assumed office 16 May 2018 | |
| Preceded by | HR Gaviappa |
| Constituency | Vijayanagara, Hosapete |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 October 1966 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Political party | Bharatiya Janata party (2019–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Indian National Congress (2018-2019) |
| Children | 3 |
| Occupation | Politician |
He was the Tourism minister in the Government of Karnataka and fourth time he elected as a member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.[1] He was one of the 17 members to resign and the reason for downfall of the coalition government of Karnataka in 2019. He then joined the BJP and contested the by-elections. He has been elected for the Fourth consecutive time MLA from Vijayanagara (Hospet) constituency in 2019 state by-elections. He was then inducted into Fourth B. S. Yeddyurappa ministry. He is one of the richest politician in India
Career
He represents the Vijayanagara constituency as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.[2]
In 2015, Singh was arrested in the Belekeri iron ore scam. Where he was released[3][4][5]
Controversies
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.[6][7]
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).[8]
Accused of forest encroachment and illegal mining
Anand Singh has been accused of 15 criminal cases, and facing 3 CBI trails about encroachment and mining cases. After joining the BJP and forming the government he was given the forest department portfolio to serve as a cabinet minister. This was cristicised by the opposition and the media, calling it an act to submerge the cases by his cabinet powers. They also insisted to change the portfolio so that the enquiry is not affected.[9]
References
- "Karnataka 2013 Anand Singh (Winner) Vijayanagara". myneta.info. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
- "Sitting and previous MLAs from Vijayanagara Assembly Constituency". elections.in. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
- "BJP MLA Anand Singh arrested over illegal ore shipping charge in the Ballari mining scam". economictimes.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
- "Karnataka: Lokayukta SIT arrests former minister Anand Singh in illegal mining case". indianexpress.com. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
- "Anand Singh arrested". thehindu.com. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
- 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.
- "Congress threatens to disrupt Guv's address, demand removal of Anand Singh from ministry". New Indian Express. 16 February 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2020.