Vishwas Vasant Vaidya (born 12 October 1982) is an Indian politician and businessman who has served as a member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly since 2023, representing the Saundatti Yellamma constituency as a member of the Indian National Congress.
He was elected from Saundatti Yellamma in the 2023 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election, defeating Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Mamani Ratna Anand.
Early life and education
Vaidya was born on 12 October 1982 in Saundatti, Karnataka. His election affidavit states that he completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree from C.S.I. College of Commerce, Karnataka University Dharwad, in 2004.
Business career
Before entering the state legislature, Vaidya was engaged in business. His 2023 election affidavit lists his profession as business and identifies his spouse as a homemaker.
Political career
2023 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election
Vaidya contested the 2023 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election as the Indian National Congress candidate from Saundatti Yellamma.
He won the constituency with 71,224 votes, or 43.77% of the vote. BJP candidate Mamani Ratna Anand received 56,529 votes, giving Vaidya a winning margin of 14,695 votes.
His victory formed part of the Congress's strong performance in Belagavi district in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly election. Contemporary reporting by The Hindu noted that the Congress won a majority of the assembly constituencies in the district.
Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly
Vaidya began his term as an elected member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on 20 May 2023.
The official Karnataka Legislative Assembly member list identifies him as the representative for constituency 17, Saundatti Yellamma, and as a member of the Indian National Congress.
According to PRS Legislative Research, Vaidya's attendance in the Assembly during the period covered by its tracker was 82.5%, compared with a state average of 79.3%.
Personal life
Vaidya is married to Shruti Vaidya.
His 2023 election affidavit identifies his father as Vasanth and lists his occupation as business.
Election affidavit
Vaidya's affidavit filed for the 2023 Karnataka Assembly election declared total assets of ₹4,21,23,113 and liabilities of ₹1,42,37,007.
The affidavit also disclosed one pending criminal case under Section 171E of the Indian Penal Code, concerning the offence of bribery. The affidavit recorded that charges had not been framed in the case at the time of filing.
The reported case and financial figures are based on the candidate's election affidavit and do not by themselves establish criminal liability or a conviction.
References
External links
Karnataka Legislative Assembly – Members of the 16th Assembly Vishwas Vasant Vaidya at PRS Legislative Research Vishwas Vasant Vaidya at MyNeta Vishwas Vaidya on Instagram