Basavaraj Bommai to take oath as Karnataka Chief Minister

Karnataka gets its new chief minister on Wednesday, as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Basavaraj Somappa Bommai is slated to take his oath for the post at 11am on this day. The development comes two days after caretaker chief minister BS Yediyurappa tendered his resignation after months of speculation of a rift in the state’s ruling dispensation.

The 61-year-old leader also said that he alone will take the oath of office on Wednesday. Soon after his election as the leader of the BJP legislature party, Bommai, along with caretaker Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, drove to the Raj Bhavan to stake claim to form the government. 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. Son of former Chief Minister of Karnataka SR Bommai, a mechanical engineering graduate and former Janata Dal (United) leader Bommai was appointed Karnataka’s 23rd Chief Minister by the BJP high command on Tuesday, July 27. Shortly after his election as Karnataka Chief Minister, Basavaraj Bommai said that he will strive to work for the welfare of the poor. Born on January 28, 1960, Bommai belongs to the Sadara Lingayat caste, same as his predecessor Yediyurappa. He previously served as Minister for Water Resources and Cooperation between 2008 and 2013. Bommai is known to be a close aide of Yediyurappa and his follower. The three-time member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Shiggaon since 2008 was a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council between 1998 and 2008.