He was one of the 15 MLAs fell for Operation Kamala and resigned in July 2019, effectively bringing down the H. D. Kumaraswamy-led coalition government of Indian National Congress and Janata Dal (Secular).

“Operation Kamala” (hybrid word from the English Operation and the Kannada Kamala meaning “Lotus” an Election symbol of BJP.) was a term coined in 2008, when the BJP was three seats short of majority to form the government in Karnataka under B. S. Yeddyurappa. Former minister and minelord G. Janardhana Reddy worked out a method to circumvent the Anti-Defection Law and secured the support of legislators needed to take BJP past the majority mark. Opposition parties alleged that the BJP is now expanding Operation Kamala nationwide, while BJP continues to deny this allegation.

Narayana Gowda was born on 10 June 1966 to Ananthaiah and Gowramma in Malekal Tirupati, Arasikere taluk of Hassan District. He had his schooling in Karehalli and Arasikere. Gowda started his public life in his 7th standard itself, having been inspired by Sundaresh and Nanjunda Swamy of the Raita Sangha. According to Gowda, the seeds of his chaluvali were sown in the years 1982-1985 while working with Durgappa Shetty of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.