Congress leader appointed to head Shivamogga-Bhadravathi urban authority

The Karnataka government on Thursday appointed Congress leader C.G. Madhusudan as chairperson of the Shivamogga-Bhadravathi Urban Development Authority (SUDA), replacing H.S. Sundaresh.

An order announcing the change was issued by the Under Secretary of the Urban Development Department. Mr. Madhusudan assumed charge of the office on Thursday afternoon.

He is 40 and has been associated with the Congress for several years. He has also served as an office-bearer of the Youth Congress. Mr.

Madhusudan was recently appointed State coordinator of the Youth Congress committee. In that role, he was given responsibility for constituting Bharat Joto Yuva Sanghas in 11 districts. Mr.

Sundaresh, a former president of the District Congress Committee, had been appointed SUDA chairperson in February 2024. His replacement follows a recent press conference in Shivamogga at which he made allegations against several Congress leaders. Among those named by Mr.

Sundaresh was School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa, who is also the Minister in charge of Shivamogga district. Mr. Sundaresh was also reported to have used expletives while criticising party leaders.

The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee issued him a notice on September 24, asking him to respond within seven days. The government’s decision to appoint a new SUDA chairperson came within a week of that notice. The material does not specify the government’s stated reason for replacing Mr.

Sundaresh or indicate whether he has responded to the party notice. The appointment places Mr. Madhusudan in charge of the urban development authority for Shivamogga and Bhadravathi.