Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa after resigning from the state’s high post declared Basavaraj Bommai as his successor. A Lingayat leader, Bommai has held multiple important portfolios such as Home, Law and Parliamentary Affairs until he was elevated to the top position on Tuesday.
His name was suggested by Karnataka’s caretaker Yediyurappa in the BJP legislative party meeting and was backed by KS Eshwarappa, R Ashok, Govind Karjol and the other MLAs.
Basavaraj Bommai is the son of Karnataka’s former chief minister SR Bommai, who was the 11th chief minister of the Karnataka state. Born on January 28, 1960, and began his political career in Janata Dal and later joined the BJP in 2008. He is a mechanical engineer graduate and has worked with Tata Motors in his early career in Pune for three years before becoming an entrepreneur.
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Bommai, 61, has served as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) for two terms and a member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) for three terms representing Shiggaon in Haveri, a north Karnataka district. He belongs to the Lingayat community like Yediyurappa which has been a traditional support to the BJP in the state. However, Bommai belongs to the sub-sect Sadar-Lingayat, While Yediyurappa comes from the Ganiga sub-sect.
The new chief minister is also a member of the Manifesto Committee for the last three elections.
Apart from his strong experience in administration, Bommai is known for maintaining a friendly relationship with leaders from other parties. Many irrigation schemes across Karnataka are credited to his undertaking as a water resource minister.
He enters the category of father-son duo CMs to serve Karnataka.
He is married to Ms Chennamma and has a son and a daughter.
He is a permanent resident of the Dharwad District.
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Other than politics, Bommai likes reading, writing, playing golf, and cricket.