Who is Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, BJP candidate from Uttara Kannada constituency for 2024 poll, outseating Ananthkumar Hegde?

Karwar: 25 March 2024 (Bhatkallys News Bureau)  Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, a seasoned Indian politician, has garnered a lot of headlines since Sunday evening ever since he was announced as the BJP candidate from the BJP in Uttara Kannada constituency, replacing the hardcore Hindutva MP Ananthkumar Hegde.

Here’s a detailed profile of Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, his political portfolio and everything you need to know:

Born on July 10, 1961, Kageri's political journey has been marked by a remarkable track record in legislative affairs.

Kageri's political career took root during his college days when he was actively involved in the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), demonstrating early leadership qualities and a dedication to student welfare. This commitment translated into his later years as he became an influential student union leader.

A graduate with a B.Com degree from Karnatak University, Dharwad, Kageri's political ascent began with his election as a member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. He represented the Ankola Vidhan Sabha constituency for three consecutive terms from 1994 to 2008. Following the delimitation process, he transitioned to the newly created Sirsi constituency, where he secured victories in the 2008, 2013, and 2018 elections, serving as an MLA for a total of six terms.

He served as the Minister for Primary and Secondary Education from 2008 to 2013 in the Government of Karnataka. Additionally, he was also appointed as the 22nd Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from June 2019 to May 2023.

Despite a setback in the 2023 Karnataka elections where he lost his seat to a Congress candidate, Kageri's commitment to the BJP and his extensive experience in state politics have not gone unnoticed and he has been nominated as the BJP candidate from the Uttara Kannada Constituency for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, replacing Ananthkumar Hegde.