After the resignation of Karnataka’s Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Monday, the Bharatiya Janata Party has now selected Basavaraj Bommai as the new Cheif Minister of the state. Basavaraj served as the Home Minister of the state in Yediyurappa’s cabinet and also held the portfolio of water resources in the past, has been one of the topmost contenders for the post of the CM. Basavaraj joined the BJP in 2008 and very soon rose to the top ranks of the party. Bommai’s father, SR Bommai too served as the CM of the state in the past.
Basavaraj Bommai is a two-time MLC and three-time MLA from Shiggaon in the Haveri district. Basavaraj too, like Yediyurappa, is from the Lingayat community, which is considered to be the most influential political community in Karnataka. Eight out of 20 CMs of Karnataka have belonged to this community, throughout history, and it is said that it’s not a wise choice to be at loggerheads with this community in the state, as the community has a presence in about 140 of Karnataka’s 224 assembly constituencies, and a decisive presence in about 90 seats. This community forms nearly 17 percent of the state’s population.
On the other hand, as soon as Bommai was announced as the CM, his followers and supporters started celebrating everywhere.