Basavaraj Bommai takes over as Chief Minister of Karnataka

Basavaraj Bommai, 61, took over as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on Wednesday, succeeding BS Yediyurappa, who resigned earlier this week after months of speculation. Son of former chief minister S R Bommai, Basavaraj was on Tuesday elected the leader of the BJP legislature party at a meeting attended by central observers.

Sporting a white kurta-pajama and a saffron stole, Basavaraj Bommai was administered the oath of office by Governor Thawarchand Gehlot.

Basavaraj Bommai, a lingayat like Yediyurappa, was the Minister for Home Affairs, Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Legislature in the now-dissolved council of ministers. Known for his “clean and non-controversial” image, the new chief minister is considered among the close confidants of Yediyurappa.

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Soon after the announcement of his name on Tuesday, Bommai sought the blessings of Yediyurappa, and he was greeted by other party leaders.

Basavaraj Bommai is a graduate in Mechanical Engineering and cut his political teeth in his father’s party Janata Dal (United).

Bommai left the Janata Dal (United) to join the Bharatiya Janata Party in February 2008. Earlier, he was elected as a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council, twice (in 1998 and 2004) from Dharwad local authorities constituency.