Kota Srinivas Poojary

Kota Shrinivas Poojari is an Indian Bharatiya Janata Party politician hailing from Kota, Karnataka. He served as the Minister of Social Welfare Department and Backward Classes Welfare Department of Karnataka between 2021 and 2023.^[1] He was also the Leader of the House, Karnataka Legislative Council and the COVID-19 Management District in-charge Minister for Kodagu.^[2] He has been appointed the BJP National Executive Committee member from 7 October 2021.

Poojari handled several crucial posts in Karnataka politics. He was first elected to the Karnataka Legislative Council for a term from 6 January 2010 to 4 January 2016 representing the Dakshina Kannada Local Authorities Constituency and was re-elected for the term from 6 January 2016 to 5 January 2022.^[3] He served as the Leader of Opposition, Karnataka Legislative Council from 7 February 2018 to 26 July 2019.^[4] During the tenure of the previous cabinet under B. S Yediyurappa as the Chief Minister, he handled the portfolios of Minister of Muzrai from 20 August 2019 to 28 July 2021, Minister of Ports & Inland Transport and Minister of Fisheries from 20 August 2019 to 21 January 2021 and Minister of Backward Class Welfare from 21 January 2021 to 28 July 2021.^[5][6]