Karnataka gets new chief minister: Who is Basavaraj Bommai

Bengaluru, July 27: Basavaraj Bommai has been elected as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka. In a close contest, Bommai won the race for Chief Minister's post as the BJP leadership decided to replace B S Yediyurappa with another Lingayat leader.

Born on January 28, 1960, in Hubballi, Basavaraj Bommai is the son of former Chief Minister of Karnataka, S. R. Bommai. He belongs to the Sadara Lingayat community.

A graduate in Mechanical Engineering. He worked in Tata Motors, Pune for three years and then became an industrial entrepreneur. Bommai's political journey began with the Janata Dal.

Basavaraj Bommai joined the BJP in 2008 and has risen in the party ranks since then. Bommai was the Minister for Home Affairs, Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Legislature in Yediyurappa's tenure.

Earlier, he also served as Haveri and Udupi District Incharge Ministe. He was also Minister for Water resources and Cooperation in the Government of Karnataka.

A graduate Engineer, and an agriculturist and industrialist by profession, he is widely acclaimed for his contributions to innumerable irrigation schemes and deep knowledge regarding Irrigation matters in Karnataka.

He is also credited with implementing India's first 100% piped irrigation project at Shiggaon in Haveri district of Karnataka.

He is a two-time MLC and three-time MLA from Shiggaon in Haveri district.

Bommai is known as soft spoken and intelligent leader. His caste, educational qualification, administrative capacities and proximity to Yediyurappa took him to proximity of the new post.

Bommai is married to to Chennamma, he has a son and a daughter. The new chief minister is interested in reading, writing, golf and cricket.

He has served as Chairman of the Karnataka State Cricket Association, Dharwad, and Karnataka Volleyball Association, Dharwad District.

He is also the founder of Arunodaya Co-operative Society, a member of Jayanagar Housing Society and German Chamber of Commerce.