Profile

Capt G R Gopinath is credited with having changed the face of flying in India. In 2003, he floated India's first low-cost airline Air Deccan which challenged the monopoly of expensive carriers in the skies. In 2007, he sold the airline to Vijay Mallya's Kingfisher, but continues to be its vice-chairman and the second largest individual shareholder.He was born in a village in Hassan district of Karnataka. A graduate from the National Defence Academy and Indian Military Academy, he served in the Indian Army for 8 years. In 1994, Gopinath had contested the Assembly elections on a BJP ticket from Gandasi constituency in Hassan district in Karnataka. He was the party president of BJP in Hassan then. This time around, he is contesting as an Independent from Bangalore South Constituency.