Bengaluru: Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday took oath as the 23rd Chief Minister of Karnataka.
Bommai was announced as the new Chief Minister of the state by Dharmendra Pradhan, who was sent by the central party's parliamentary board as observer to pick a new chief minister at the BJP Legislature Party meeting held at a city hotel yesterday.
He succeeded the outgoing chief minister BS Yediyurappa.Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot administered the oath of office and secrecy.
Yediyurappa congratulated Bommai for being elected as the new Chief Minister and expressed confidence that he will lead Karnataka in the path of development.
"Congratulations to Shri @BSBommai on being elected as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka. I am confident you will lead Karnataka in the path of development and fulfill the aspirations of people of the state," he said in a tweet.
In yet another tweet, Yediyurappa wished Bommai for his efficient and successful performance. "Shri @BSBommai. Heartfelt congratulations to them. With the blessings of millions of activists, with the support of all party leaders, I wish Bommai his efficient and successful performance," he said.
Bommai began his day by offering prayers at the Anjaneya Swamy temple and returned to his residence. He later visited the BJP state headquarters situated at Malleswaram where he was welcomed by state party president Nalin Kumar Kateel.
He also offered a floral tribute to a portrait of Bharat Mata.
Know the New Karnataka CM-Designate Basavaraj Bommai
Bommai, a Lingayat leader, succeeds Yediyurappa, who had resigned from the post. The Lingayat strong man had submitted his resignation letter earlier this month and did not disclose it till the last minute.
"In keeping with the high tradition of the party, Yediyurappa expressed his willingness and desire before the party president JP Nadda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders that he would step down as the chief minister," Pradhan said before anointing Bommai as the new chief minister at the legislature party meeting.
"Knowing Karnataka politics, I can tell you there is no replacement for Yediyurappa in Karnataka and the BJP. With grace, he has set a new policy and a new model for all of us by resigning from the chief ministership to create new leadership," he said.
Bommai is the son of former chief minister of Karnataka late SR Bommai, who set up the Janata Party along with JH Patel, HD Deve Gowda and Ramakrishna Hegde.He was elected as a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council, twice in 1998 and 2004 from Dharwad local authorities constituency.
He left the Janata Dal (United) and joined the BJP in February, 2008. In the 2008 Karnataka state elections, he was elected to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Shiggaon constituency in Haveri district.
Speaking to reporters after his anointing, Bommai said he will try to implement the schemes announced in the budget. "This was unexpected. I had belief in my hard work. I will try to implement the schemes announced in the budget effectively," he said.(UNI)
