Bengaluru: Basavaraj Bommai, a graduate in mechanical engineering, left his business and entered politics. His political journey is bit unique. He first became MLA from Janata Dal and then from BJP. He also became a minister in the BJP government and now he is the new CM of Karnataka.
Basavaraj Bommai was born on 28 January, 1960 in Hubballi of Dharwad district. He is the son of former Chief Minister of Karnataka S.R. Bommai. He is the eldest among the four sons of Gangamma and S.R Bommai. Bommai is married to Chennamma and they have two children.
Entered politics after leaving Business
He graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and was involved in agriculture and his own business. He also served as the President of Dharwad in Karnataka State Cricket Association (DCA).
He began his political career with Janata Dal. In 1995, he was appointed as General Secretary of Janata Dal. He was appointed as the political secretary to the then Chief Minister JH Patel in 1996 and 1997. Then, in 1997, he was elected to the Vidhana Parishad through local body election for the first time. In 2007, he joined farmer forces in 21 days foot march, travelling a distance of 232 km from Dharwad to Naragunda.
Also read: Basavaraj Bommai: Lingayat leader with origins in Janata Parivar
Joined BJP after quitting JDU
When the Janata Parivar split, Basavaraj Bommai's father SR Bommai went to the JDS led by HD Deve Gowda while Basavaraj Bommai joined JDU. When Deve Gowda was the Prime Minister, SR Bommai was given the Human Resources Minister position at the Central government.
Basavaraja Bommai at the age of 37 was elected in the local body election for Vidhana Parishad (Dharwad-Haveri-Gadag) from the Janata Party in 1997.
From there, Basavaraj Bommai never looked back. In 2003, he was again elected to Vidhana Parishad from the same constituency. From there, Bommai chose Shiggavi as his constituency. Later, he joined BJP. Basavaraj Bommai was brought to BJP by Yeddyurappa in 2008. He later entered the assembly from the BJP in 2008, contesting the election from the Shiggavi constituency of Haveri district.
Close to BS Yeddyurappa
Bommai, who was MLA from the Shiggavi assembly constituency in Haveri district, became the Minister of Home and Parliamentary Affairs in the BJP government led by BS Yediyurappa. In a political development when BSY left BJP, Bommai remained loyal to the BJP. When BSY returned to BJP, the friendship between the two became stronger.
Also read: Basavaraj Bommai sworn-in as Karnataka CM
When the BJP came to power again, Bommai, who was expecting a strong post, got the post of Home Minister. Bommai has now been named CM amidst other strong leaders of BJP.
