Basavraj Bommai Sworn-in as the Karnataka Chief Minister, to Induct Other Ministers “Soon”
NEW DELHI, July 28: Three-time MLA and the home minister in the outgoing BS Yediyurappa cabinet, Basavaraj Bommai was on Wednesday took oath as the 23rd chief minister of Karnataka.
He was sworn in by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot at the Raj-Bhavan in the presence of senior BJP leaders, including Yediyurappa, the Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and BJP Karnataka in-charge Arun Singh.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally broke his silence on the change of guard in Karnataka. Congratulating the new Chief Minister he tweeted: “Bommai brings with him rich legislative and administrative experience. I am confident he will build on the exceptional work done by our government in the state. Best wishes for a fruitful tenure.”
He praised former chief minister B. S. Yediyurappa, who resigned on July 26. “No words will ever do justice to the monumental contribution of Shri B. S. Yediyurappa Ji towards our party and for Karnataka’s growth. For decades, he toiled hard, travelled across all parts of Karnataka and struck a chord with people. He is admired for his commitment to social welfare,” the PM tweeted.
Mr. Yediyurappa tweeted back saying: “Thanking him for the kind words.”
The Union Home Minister Amit Shah also congratulated Bommai. “I am sure, under the guidance of PM Narendra Modi Ji, he will further boost BJP’s resolve to serve the poor and farmers of the state with his wisdom and experience,” he tweeted.
A good number of Bommai’s supporters, many from his constituency Shiggaon in Haveri district, stood outside Raj Bhavan to cheer for him as he took the oath of office. Shiggaon comes under Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency and is about 365 km from Bengaluru.
Son of former chief minister and Janata Dal leader S.R. Bommai, he was chosen to replace Yediyurappa at the BJP legislative party meet held in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Bommai had come to the Raj-Bhavan to take the oath along with his family members, including wife Channamma and children Bharat and Aditi.
Talking to reporters before the swearing-in, Bommai said he would soon hold a meeting with the senior officials in the government to take stock of the administration. On Cabinet formation, he said he met the observers from the party’s high command. “I met Dharmendra Pradhan and Arun Singh this morning. They have told me there is no need for any meeting (on Cabinet formation) today. We will take a decision after they leave,” said Bommai.
“We won’t take much time. For all the work that needs to be completed, we need a full team (of ministers). So we will do it (Cabinet formation) at the earliest,” he added.
Son of former chief minister S R Bommai, Basavaraj Bommai started his political career with the Janata Dal and worked with senior leaders including H D Deve Gowda and Ramakrishna Hegde. He left the Janata Dal (United) and joined the BJP in February, 2008.
A graduate in mechanical engineering, he was elected as a member of the Karnataka legislative council in 1998 and 2004 from Dharwad. He was thrice elected to Karnataka legislative assembly from the Shiggaon constituency in Haveri district in 2008, 2013 and 2018.
(Manas Dasgupta)
