S. T. Somashekhar

Shettihalli Timmegowda Somashekhar Gowda^[2] is an Indian politician who was the Minister of State for Co-Operation of Karnataka from 6 February 2020 until 13 May 2023. He was elected to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Yeshvanthapura in the 2018 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election as a member of the Indian National Congress.^[3][4][5][6] He later switched to the Bharatiya Janata Party and won the by-election in 2019.^[7] He got re-elected on a BJP ticket in the 2023 Karnataka Legislative Assembly Election. As of 19 August 2023, speculations are rife that he may switch back to his old party, the INC, amidst allegations that local BJP leaders are hindering his political growth.^[8]

S. T. Somashekhar
S. T. Somashekhar (center) in 2020
Minister of Co-Operation Government of Karnataka
In office 6 February 2020 – 13 May 2023
Preceded by	Basavaraj Bommai, BJP
Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly
Incumbent
Assumed office 16 May 2018
Preceded by	Shobha Karandlaje
Constituency	Yeshvanthapura
Minister Incharge Of Mysore Government of Karnataka
In office 10 April 2020 – 26 July 2021
Personal details
Born	(1957-06-01) 1 June 1957 (age 67)[1] Shettihalli, Channapatna
Political party	Bharatiya Janata party (2019–present)
Other political affiliations	Indian National Congress (till 2019)