Basappa Danappa Jatti

Period-11-Feb-1977 to 25-Jul-1977

Political party-Independent

Basappa Danappa Jatti was the Acting President of India, who served in office from 11 February 1977 to 25 July 1977. He was also appointed as the 5th Vice President of India. Jatti was born on September 10, 1912 in Savalgi in Jamakhandi Taluk of Bijapur district in a Kannadiga Lingayat Banajiga family. He completed his graduation as a lawyer from Rajaram College, in Kolhapur, which was then affiliated with the University of Bombay. Later he became an Attorney in Jamakhandi. Basappa Danappa Jatti entered Indian politics as a Municipality member at Jamakhandi in the year 1940 and eventually became was appointed as its President. Later he was elected to the Jamakhandi State Legislature. Jatti was a well mannered person who ascended from his modest beginning as a member of the Jamakhandi Municipality to second highest office in India during a diversified political career that lasted for over 5 decades.

Political Career of Basappa Danappa Jatti

Basappa Danappa Jatti was a Law Graduate from Rajaram College, in Kolhapur, Kolhapur. He practised as an Attorney General for a brief period in Jamakhandi. He was appointed minister of Jamakhandi state, and subsequently became Chief Minister. Jatti was also nominated as member of the Bombay State Legislative Assembly to represent the merged area, and, within a week of his nomination, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the then Bombay Chief Minister B G Kher. After the general elections held in the year 1952, Jatti was appointed as the Minister of Health and Labour of the Bombay Government and held that post till the re-organisation of states.

Basappa Danappa Jatti became the member of Mysore Legislative Assembly and was also the Chairman of the Land Reforms Committee. He became Chief Minister in the year 1958 and continued in that office until 1962. Jatti was appointed Finance Minister on July 2, 1962 in the Nijalingappa Ministry. He was re-elected from the same constituency and made Minister of Food and Civil Supplies to the fourth Assembly. He was appointed as the Governor of Orissa in the year 1973. He became Vice President in 1974 and assumed office until 1980. He became acting President for a brief period after the death of Fakruddin Ali Ahmed.

Personal Life of Basappa Danappa Jatti

Basappa Danappa Jatti was a religious man and was the founder president of the Basava Samithi, which spread the preaching of 12th century saint philosopher Basaveshwara. He was also involved in various organisations concerned with social activities. He died on 7 May 2002 at the age of 88 years.