Basappa Danappa Jatti was born on September 10, 1912 and died on June 7, 2002. Jatti graduated as a lawyer from Sykes Law College, Kolhapur and became a Attorney in Jamakhandi. Jatti was a Soft-spoken person he rose from a humble beginning as a Municipality member to India`s second-highest office during a five decade long diversified political career.

Child-Hood
Basappa was born in Savalgi in Jamakhandi Taluk of Bijapur district. He entered politics as a Municipality member at Jamakhandi in 1940 and later became its President. He was eventually elected to the Jamakhandi State Legislature.

Achievements
Basappa was a Law Graduate from Sykes Law College, Kolhapur. He practised as a Attorney General for a brief period in Jamakhandi. He was appointed minister of Jamakhandi state, and subsequently became Chief Minister. Basappa was also nominated as member of the Bombay State Legislative Assembly to represent the merged area, and, within a week of his nomination, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the then Bombay Chief Minister B G Kher. After the 1952 general elections, Basappa was appointed Minister of Health and Labour of the Bombay Government and held that post till the reorganisation of states.

Basappa became the member of Mysore Legislative Assembly and was also the Chairman of the Land Reforms Committee. He became Chief Minister in 1958 and continued in that office until 1962.Basappa was appointed Finance Minister on July 2, 1962 in the Nijalingappa Ministry. He was re-elected from the same constituency and made Minister of Food and Civil Supplies to the fourth Assembly. He became the Governor of Orissa in 1973. He became Vice-President in 1974 and assumed office until 1980. He became acting President for a brief period after the death of Fakruddin Ali Ahmed. Basappa Jatti was a deeply religious man, he was also founder president of the Basava Samithi, which spread the preachings of 12th century saint philosopher Basaveshwara. He was also involved in various organisations concerned with social activities.