Basavaraj Bommai Sworn In as Chief Minister of Karnataka

Bengaluru: Son of former chief minister and Janata parivar leader S.R. Bommai, Basavaraj Somappa Bommai has become the new chief Minister of Karnataka. He took the Oath on Wednesday at the Glass House of the Karnataka Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot administered the oath of office and secrecy in the presence of senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, including former chief minister B S Yediyurappa, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and BJP Karnataka in-charge Arun Singh.

Three time MLA and a former Minister Basavaraj is the 30th Chief Minister of Karnataka. He was Home Minister as well as Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation Minister in the B S Yediyurappa Government.

Former CM B S Yediyurappa congratulated him and wished him a successful tenure. During the swearing-in ceremony, supporters of Basavaraj chanted ‘BHARAT MATA KI JAI.’ 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.

Lingayat leader Basavaraj Bommai later performed a puja at Vidhana Soudha before taking over the Chief Minister’s office. After being sworn in, Basavaraj Bommai said, “I will keep up whatever faith and trust people of Karnataka have in me.” Soon after taking Oath he announced his Government’s Priority and said, Amid Pandemic we will work as a team to uplift the poor, Farmers and the health care system. Floods and Covid-19 are big challenges that will be given priority.

Congratulating new Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "He 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.

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.

He not only acknowledged the contribution of Mr. Yediyurappa in building the party in Karnataka, but also said he would continue to guide the party and the government. "Shri B S Yediyurappa Ji has served the party and people of Karnataka with utmost devotion. His contribution and hard work towards strengthening the BJP at the grassroots level in Karnataka is truly inspiring. I am sure he will continue to guide the party and government," he tweeted.

It is an interesting fact of Karnataka Politics that of the 22 chief ministers in Karnataka so far, only three were able to serve their full term. On nine occasions, chief ministers could not even complete a year in office. The outgoing Chief Minister, BS Yediyurappa, held the post for 1,901 days spread across four different tenures. On nine occasions, chief ministers could not even complete a year in office.