M. P. Jayaraj (1946–1989) was from a poor family background, belonging to Ganiga caste. He was brought into forefront of Bangalore underworld by M. D. Nataraj, the then son-in-law of the Chief Minister of Karnataka Devaraj Urs. Legend has it that Devaraj Urs was so impressed from the selection of his son-in-law, that the only question he asked him was what caste he belonged to and when he got the answer, Jayaraj was made president of the "Indira Brigade" – the youth wing of Congress party.