Bengaluru: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislature party on Tuesday elected Basavaraj S Bommai as the new chief minister of Karnataka. According to reports, Bommai will take over the reins of Karnataka from outgoing Chief minister BS Yediyurappa.
Basavaraj Bommai was the Home Minister of Karnataka in the BS Yediyurappa-led state government and was among one of the top contenders for the Chief Minister's post.
Basavaraj S Bommai's swearing-in as new Karnataka Chief Minister will take place tomorrow (Wednesday) at 11 am.
The announcement of the new Karnataka CM was made by BJP observer for the state and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after BJP legislature meet which was attended by several stalwarts of the saffron party.
"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," CM elect Bommai said while speaking to reporters.
He also said that his government will take all measures to fight COVID19 and floods in the state.
Who Is Basavaraj S Bommai?
Bommai is said to be close aide of BS Yediyurappa and comes from 'janata pariwar'. He joined the saffron party in 2008 and belongs to the Sadara Lingayat community.
Born on January 28, 1960, Bommai held the portfolio of Home, Law, and Parliamentary Affairs in the Yediyurappa government. He has also served as Water Resources and Cooperation Minister.
Bommai's decision to stay with the party when Yediyurappa left and launched his KJP and his ability to gain Yediyurappa's confidence after his return to the BJP are said to have worked for him.
Basavaraj S Bommai is the son of former Karnataka Chief Minister and Janata Dal leader S.R. Bommai and is a graduate in Mechanical Engineering and agriculturist and industrialist by profession.
After joining the BJP in February 2008, when Yediyurappa became the Chief Minister, he was elected to the Assembly from Shiggaon constituency in Haveri district.
BS Yediyurappa's Resignation
The BJP observers met Yediyurappa, who is currently the caretaker Chief Minister, at his official residence, ahead of the legislature party meeting.
Ending months of speculation over his exit, Yediyurappa on Monday stepped down as the Chief Minister, coinciding with his government completing two years in office. His resignation was accepted by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot as the 78-year-old BJP veteran was released from the post with immediate effect.
The notification from the Raj Bhavan, however, said Yediyurappa shall continue to function as Chief Minister till alternative arrangements are made.