Senior Congress leader and six-time MLA Kelachandra Joseph George takes charge as the new Minister for Tourism, Government of Karnataka headed by Chief Minister D.K. SIvakumar. He was sworn in as a Cabinet Minister in the Government of Karnataka on 3 June 2026, taking the oath of office and secrecy from Governor Mr. Thaawarchand Gehlot at a ceremony held at Vidhana Soudha. Following the portfolio allocation announced by Chief Minister Shri D.K. Shivakumar on 5 June 2026 – as part of a broader Cabinet expansion that inducted 13 new ministers – George has been assigned the Tourism portfolio in addition to retaining his existing charge as Minister for Energy.
The addition of Tourism to his responsibilities places one of Karnataka’s most experienced legislators at the helm of a sector that holds enormous promise for the state’s economic growth and global profile.
A Seasoned Hand at the Helm
K.J. George is no stranger to high-stakes governance. Born on 24 August 1949 in Chingavanam, Kottayam district, Kerala, he moved with his family to Kodagu district in the 1960s before settling in Bengaluru – a city he would go on to shape through decades of public service. He first entered the Karnataka Legislative Assembly in 1985 representing the Sarvagnanagar constituency and has since won the seat six consecutive times, making him one of the most enduring electoral figures in the state.
A Congress loyalist through six decades of political life, George has occupied nearly every significant ministerial post in Karnataka. He served as Minister of State in the S. Bangarappa government and subsequently as Minister for Housing and Urban Development. He went on to hold the portfolios of Home Minister, Minister for Bengaluru Development and Town Planning, and Minister of State with Independent Charge for Transport, Food and Civil Supplies under Chief Minister Veerendra Patil. Under the H.D. Kumaraswamy Cabinet, he served as Minister for Large and Medium Size Industries.
Now 76, George brings to the Tourism Ministry a depth of administrative experience, political networks, and institutional memory that few in Karnataka’s Cabinet can match.
What the Tourism Sector is Watching For
Karnataka is one of India’s richest tourism states, with an extraordinary range of destinations – from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi and the royal grandeur of Mysuru, to the misty landscapes of Coorg, the wildlife corridors of Kabini and Dandeli, the coastal beauty of Gokarna, and the heritage precincts of Bengaluru. The sector attracts millions of domestic and international visitors annually and has significant headroom for growth in adventure tourism, eco-tourism, MICE, and religious circuits.
With Minister George taking charge, the industry will be watching closely for policy continuity, accelerated infrastructure development at key destinations, enhanced promotion in international markets, and Karnataka’s active participation in national and international travel trade platforms.
On a personal note, George is married to Suja and has two children. He is also co-founder of the Kelachandra Group, established in 1980, with interests in real estate.
Tourism India warmly congratulates Sri K.J. George on his assumption of the Tourism portfolio and looks forward to his leadership in taking Karnataka’s tourism sector to new heights.
