Basavaraj Somappa Bommai on Tuesday has been elected asKarnataka’s Chief Minister, succeeding BS Yediyurappa on Tuesday.
A strong Lingayat leader from north Karnataka, he waselected to the post at the legislature party meeting held at a private hotel,and chaired by Central observers, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and G.Kishan Reddy.
Yediyurappa proposed Bommai's name and it was agreed uponby the BJP legislators.
Bommai will be sworn in as the 30th Chief Minister at theRaj Bhavan at 3.20 pm on Wednesday.
Born on January 28, 1960, Bommai held the portfolio ofHome, Law, and Parliamentary Affairs in the Yediyurapa government. He has alsoserved as Water Resources and Cooperation Minister. Bommai's decision to staywith the party when Yediyurappa left and launched his KJP and his ability togain Yediyurappa's confidence after his return to the BJP is said to haveworked for him.
The son of former Karnataka Chief Minister and Janata Dalleader S.R. Bommai, he had joined the BJP from the Janata Parivar in 2008, andthough being a blue-eyed boy of Yediyurappa, his ability to defend the party isappreciated by all.
A graduate in Mechanical Engineering and agriculturistand industrialist by profession, he started his political career with theJanata Parivar. He was elected a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council in1998 and 2004 from Dharwad local authorities' constituency.
After joining the BJP in February 2008, when Yediyurappabecame the Chief Minister, he was elected to the Assembly from Shiggaonconstituency in Haveri district.
Widely acclaimed for his knowledge of irrigation mattersin the state and contributions to innumerable irrigation schemes, he is alsocredited with implementing India's first 100 percent piped irrigation projectat Shiggaon in Haveri.
Being appointed as the state CM, Bommai at thelegislature party meeting said he will take every along.
"I will take everyone along with me inadministration. It is going to be a pro-people government. Addressing thechallenges of Covid and natural calamity will be my priority," he said.
"The situation of finances in the state is not good.Will take steps to improve the situation," he said.
On the cabinet, he said that he will meet GovernorThaawarchand Ghelot on Tuesday night and later, discuss the matter with partyleaders.
Bommai, who is seen as a close confidante of outgoing ChiefMinister B.S. Yediyurappa, said: "Yediyurappa is going to be our leaderalways."
"I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chiefJ.P. Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah for the opportunity. Yediyurappa hasblessed me," he added.
"Party legislators have elected me unanimously and Iwill live up to their expectations," he said.