Vijay Mallya Business and career:
Early Career and United Breweries Group
Chairmanship: Mallya took over as Chairman of United Breweries Group (UB Group) in 1983, following his father’s death. Under his leadership, UB Group expanded significantly.
Kingfisher Beer: One of the most notable brands under UB Group is Kingfisher Beer, which became a leading beer brand in India and gained international recognition.
Expansion into Aviation
Kingfisher Airlines: In 2005, Mallya launched Kingfisher Airlines, which quickly became known for its luxurious services. However, the airline faced financial difficulties and ceased operations in 2012.
Sports Ventures
Formula One: Mallya co-owned the Force India Formula One team, which competed in the Formula One World Championship.
Indian Premier League (IPL): He also owned the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) cricket team in the IPL.
Political Career
Member of Parliament: Mallya served as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, representing Karnataka, for two terms.
Legal and Financial Troubles
Debt and Legal Issues: Mallya faced significant legal challenges, including charges of financial fraud and money laundering. He left India in 2016 and has been involved in an ongoing extradition battle in the UK.
Bank Loans: His businesses accumulated substantial debt, leading to multiple lawsuits from banks seeking repayment.
Philanthropy and Personal Interests
Philanthropy: Despite his controversies, Mallya has been involved in philanthropic activities, including donations to educational and healthcare causes.
Personal Interests: Mallya is known for his passion for horse racing, vintage cars, and collecting rare artifacts.
Vijay Mallya’s career has been marked by both significant successes and notable controversies. Vijay Mallya Political career:
Political Involvement
Early Involvement: Mallya began his political journey with the Akhil Bharata Janata Dal and later joined the Janata Party led by Subramanian Swamy in 2003.
Rajya Sabha Membership: He was elected to the Rajya Sabha, India’s upper house of Parliament, as an independent member from Karnataka. His first term was from 2002 to 2008, supported by the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Indian National Congress. He was re-elected in 2010 with the support of the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Public Service: Despite his business controversies, Mallya devoted a significant portion of his time to public service and was known for his religious practices, such as blessing every aircraft he bought at a sacred temple in Tirupati.
Controversies and Resignation
Legal Troubles: Mallya’s political career was overshadowed by his legal issues, including charges of financial fraud and money laundering. These controversies led to his resignation from the Rajya Sabha in 2016.
Extradition Battle: Since leaving India in 2016, Mallya has been involved in an ongoing extradition battle in the UK, facing multiple charges related to financial misconduct.
Vijay Mallya’s political career, much like his business ventures, has been marked by both achievements and controversies.
