Only those who have contact with the people at the grassroots remain popular in politics for a long time. Political history is full of examples of those who used short cuts, who won elections piggybacking on the shoulders of godfathers, and those who bribed their way to become ministers, being confined to the dustbins of history.
V Somanna belongs to the first category. He rose to the ranks of a leader from among the common people. This is the reason for his influence and charisma continuing to shine brightly in State politics even after 40 years.
V Somanna is a born fighter, an adamant agitator, yet a simple man with a heart that beats for the problems of the common man. This is borne out clearly when you look at the journey of his life.
Arriving in Bengaluru from a very tiny hamlet with the worldly possession of a pair of clothes and a small bag, he ended up being called the ‘Maker of Modern Bengaluru,’ making his life an extraordinary journey. Somanna’s life is an example for the youth, especially those from rural India.
Hailing from the hamlet of Maralavadi in Ramanagara district, his journey from the dusty streets of the village to the power corridors of Bengaluru, slowly inching from Janata Bazaar to the Janata Party and then becoming a Corporator and being identified as a local leader, his entry into the Assembly as a Legislator and then emerging as a leader to reckon with in State politics through the sheer dint of his works as a Minister is an epoch-making chapter in the political history of the Karnataka.
Discipline, dedication, a frank and candid approach, simplicity, humility, dogged ability to complete any task, the humanity to respond to even the smallest problem of the common man, farsighted approach to development, research oriented, ability to mix with people without the prejudice of caste, creed, religion or class, free from partiality, malice and jealousy and belief in Basavanna’s ‘work is worship’ philosophy, the ability to wield all kinds of powers when it benefits the people, defender of the faith and being in the good books of seers and pontiffs of all religions and castes are some of the qualities of Somanna which have positioned him at the top today.
The victory of a politician is determined by the amount of love and affection he has secured from the people by his public service.
-- Narendra Modi, Prime Minister
We have to shape our own destiny and not wait for the divine to grant it.
- V Somanna, Minister
His political philosophy and journey is a lesson to young aspiring politicians...
The story of Somanna leaving the hamlet of Maralavadi in search of his livelihood in Bengaluru is better heard in his own words:
After I completed PUC, I had the insatiable urge to do something new. I longed to go to Bengaluru. At home, I was forced to take up agriculture. One fine day, I made up my mind and left the village. I had Rs.15 in my pocket which my mother had given me. Apart from that, I carried a small bag with a pair of clothes.
Basappa Circle in Bengaluru was where I landed when I was 18. Naganna, who ran a small laundry nearby recognized me and enquired about me. I pestered him to get me a job in the city. He took me to one Chengalraya Shetty who had a motor repair shop. Chengalaraya Shetty offered to take me in and also provide me with a temporary roof. Picking up part of the motors being repaired and accompanying him wherever he went were my only task.
A few days later, I shifted to a house with a single bedroom which had a dimension of six feet by eight feet and had an asbestos roof. The monthly rent was a mere Rs.7.
I cleared a pending subject in PUC. Back then, PUC was a one-year course. I worked in the motor repair shop by the day and attended the VV Puram Evening College. I studied at night and in the end managed to obtain a degree.
Later, Naganna got me in touch with one Jayasimha and found me a job in his company. Naganna was intelligent and hardworking. He was my backbone during those early years. Subsequently in 1971, I applied for a job in the Consumer Federation. My dream was to land a clerical job. A Shantamallappa, who was the chairman of the Federation those days, interviewed me. He said a clerical job would not suit me and offered me the job as a sales assistant.
I had to place a deposit of Rs.500 to get the job. It wasn’t an easy task. I sought money from my family. They insisted that I take up agriculture and give up my dream of working in Bengaluru. Finally, my mother gave me Rs.200. There was a weighbridge for firewood near Shivaji Talkies in the city. I had befriended one Thimmaiah there. When I told him about my predicament, he gave me Rs.500. Finally, I started my job at Janata Bazaar on KG Road. My destiny had changed.
While working at Janata Bazaar, I had the urge to somehow earn more. By then, I knew Prabhakar, the manager of Vijaya Bank, who suggested that I become a pigmy collector. During the break at work in Janata Bazaar between 1.30 pm and 4 pm, I became a pigmy collector, visiting hundreds of shops. After duty hours, I would again become a pygmy collector till 9 pm. This way, I managed to earn about Rs.2,000 more per month. This was about the same salary I earned at Janata Bazaar.