BJP picks BSY confidant Basavaraj Somappa Bommai as Karnataka CM

New Delhi, July 27

Basavaraj Somappa Bommai, a formidable Lingayat, was today elected as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka during a meeting of the BJP legislature party. Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and G Kishan Reddy and party general secretary in-charge of the state Arun Singh were present at the meeting. Pradhan said Bommai’s name was proposed by senior leader BS Yediyurappa and was supported by party MLAs Govind Karjol, R Ashok, KS Eshwarappa, B Sriramulu, ST Somashekar and Poornima Srinivas.

Editorial: Change in Karnataka

Soon after the announcement, Bommai sought the blessings of Yediyurappa, who later tweeted, “Congratulations to @BSBommai on being elected as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka. I am confident you will lead Karnataka on the path of development and fulfil the aspirations of state’s people.” Bommai (61) is son of former Karnataka CM, the late SR Bommai. Like outgoing CM BS Yediyurappa, he too belongs to the Lingayat community.

Known for his “clean and non-controversial” image, Bommai is considered among close confidants of Yediyurappa. The three-time MLA from Shiggaon in Haveri district, Bommai joined the BJP in 2008. He is an engineer by profession and started his career with the Tata Group. — TNS