Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran leader Basavaraj Somappa Bommai took oath on Wednesday as the 23rd Chief Minister of Karnataka, succeeding BS Yeddiyurappa’s post. Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot administered him the oath of office at a swearing-in ceremony held at Raj Bhavan today at 11am.
Amid rife speculations over a crisis in the BJP’s state unit, Bommai’s predecessor Yeddiyurappa had resigned two days ago.
Bommai is the son of former Karnataka Chief Minister SR Bommai. He is also a mechanical engineering graduate and former Janata Dal (United) leader. On Tuesday, Bommai was appointed Chief Minister of Karnataka by the BJP high command, a day after Yeddiyurappa had quit.
After his election as the new Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai had said that he will strive to work for the welfare of the poor.
“It is a big responsibility in the given situation. I will strive to work for the welfare of the poor. It will be pro-people and pro-poor people governance. We will take all measures to fight COVID19 and floods in the state,” he said.
Bommai, born on 28 January 1960, belongs to the Sadara Lingayat community, same like his predecessor Yediyurappa. The Lingayats is one of the largest community of Karnataka comprising nearly 17 percent of the state’s population and the outcome can be determined in 35 to 40 percent Assembly seats. This community has long backed the ruling BJP.
Senior BJP leader and former Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai has handled many portfolios earlier including Law, Irrigation, Parliamentary Affairs and Legislature of Karnataka in Yediyurappa’s fourth ministry.
He has served as District Incharge Minister of Haveri and Udupi. Previously, he has also served as Minister for Water Resources and Cooperation between 2008 and 2013.
Bsavaraj Bommai is known to be a close aide and follower of Yediyurappa. Many in the ruling party believe the announcement of Bommai as the chief minister is a win for Yediyurappa.
The new CM is known to have good contact with the party high command in Delhi, including several leaders of different communities in the ruling party.
Three-time member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Shiggaon since 2008, Bommai was a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council between 1998 and 2008.
(Inputs from agencies)