Basavaraj Bommai takes oath as Karnataka chief minister

Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday took oath as the 23rd chief minister of Karnataka. He replaces BS Yediyurappa, who resigned from the post earlier this week.

Before taking oath as the chief minister, Bommai met his predecessor Yediyurappa as well as observer and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Bengaluru.

Bommai has announced that he will chair a cabinet meeting later in the day and review the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) situation in Karnataka.

He is the son of former Karnataka chief minister SR Bommai. The 61-year-old has studied mechanical engineering. Bommai was chosen to lead the Bharatiya Janata Party by the party's high command on Tuesday.

Born on January 28, 1960, Bommai belongs to the Sadara Lingayat caste, same as his predecessor Yediyurappa.

The Lingayats is the largest community of Karnataka comprising nearly 17 per cent of the population and can determine the outcome in 35 to 40 per cent Assembly seats. The community has long backed the ruling party.