Basavaraj Bommai is the new Karnataka Chief Minister

[Kool_SRG]

Mr. Bommai will be sworn in on July 28 at 11 a.m.

 

In a choice that underlined a keenness to protect the Lingayat vote base rather than indulge in risky experiments, the BJP on Tuesday chose 61-year-old Basavaraj Bommai as the next Chief Minister of Karnataka.

Significantly, Mr. Bommai, who joined the BJP only in 2008, is not from the RSS stables and was earlier associated with the JD(U). This makes him an exception among BJP Chief Ministers in the State. He is a moderate face, not known to take a hardline Hindutva stance and an amenable man across party lines.

Mr. Bommai met Governor Taawarchand Gehlot late at night on Tuesday and will be sworn in alone on Wednesday at 11 a.m.

 

Though there had been intense and wild speculation on the possibility of the BJP throwing a “surprise” choice, the saffron party played it safe by going with Mr. Bommai who does not disrupt the caste calculations and, significantly, is seen as a man who is close to the Lingayat strongman and outgoing Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa. He also meets the long-pending demand for a man from North Karnataka to be at the helm of affairs in the State.

The decision came just a day after 78-year-old Mr. Yediyurappa resigned with tears in his eyes, at an event organised to mark the second anniversary of his chief ministership — a bumpy ride marked by dissidence, allegations of corruption and nepotism. Mr. Bommai, in contrast, will be seen not only as young and educated, but also non-controversial.

In a day of quick and dramatic developments, the BJP Legislature Party meeting was convened and central observers dispatched from Delhi. At the late evening meeting, the name of Mr. Bommai was proposed by Mr. Yediyurappa and seconded by former Deputy Chief Minister Govind Karjol. The choice was later announced by central observer Dharmendra Pradhan at a crowded press conference.

Speaking after staking claim, Mr. Bommai thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party, besides Mr. Yediyurappa whom he described as his mentor.

“I have been chosen unanimously by the BJPLP. I will not fail the expectations of Mr. Modi, the party, Mr. Yediyurappa and will give a pro-people administration. I will take all measures to improve the health of the economy hit by the pandemic. I will serve the people with the blessings of the elders,” he said.

[Kool_SRG]

'32 Years Later...': Basavaraj Bommai To Be New Karnataka Chief Minister

Basavaraj Bommai is a Lingayat and an MLA from Haveri district in central Karnataka.

New Delhi: 

Basavaraj Bommai may have joined the BJP way back in 2008, but his family's political history came a full circle only today after his name was announced as the next Karnataka Chief Minister. His father, SR Bommai, occupied the position for a brief period in the 1980s, making a whole lot of difference to Indian politics.

The state Home Minister will now succeed the 78-year-old BS Yediyurappa who tearfully announced his resignation on Monday after weeks of speculation.

The BJP veteran is considered the tallest leader alive today of Karnataka's Veerashaiva-Lingayat community, which constitutes 16 per cent of the state's 68 million population. His departure was risky business for the BJP since the party has had strong backing from this segment for long.

While it can't be anyone's claim that zeroing-in on Mr Bommai as replacement was easy, the choice may be easily justified.

An MLA from Shiggaon in central Karnataka's Haveri district, Mr Bommai, too, is a Lingayat -- although the term 'Basava' also means ox in Kannada, it resonates the name of Basaveshwara, the 12th century founder of the community.

Before joining the BJP, he was with the Janata Dal United, defecting, along with 22 others JDU functionaries.

Ironic, since his staunchly socialist father, a leader of the Janata Party and later Janata Dal, is best remembered for a landmark battle in the Supreme Court -- SR Bommai versus Union of India -- that he fought after losing his government in Karnataka following such defection. The judgment in that case laid down certain guidelines against the misuse of Article 356 by the Central government to impose President's Rule on states with unfriendly governments.

Basavaraj Bommai began his political career with the Janata Dal and was a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council twice. He served as political secretary to former Chief Minister JH Patel and was also Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Council.

Since crossing over, Mr Bommai has remained a close confidant of Mr Yediyurappa and has risen in the party ranks to last helm the state's Home Ministry and, earlier, the Water Resources Ministry.

A mechanical engineer by training, he worked for Tata Motors in Pune for three years before turning entrepreneur.

Married to Ms Chennamma, Mr Bommai has a son and a daughter and is a permanent resident of Dharwad district.

His interests include reading, writing, playing golf, and cricket.

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