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Basavaraj Somappa Bommai, born on January 28, 1960, is an Indian politician and engineer. He held the position of Karnataka’s 23rd Chief Minister from July 18, 2021, to May 19, 2023. Currently affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he was previously associated with the Janata Dal and Janata Dal (United).
Bommai represents Shiggaon in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and has been elected four times since 2008. Between 1998 and 2008, he served as a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council from Dharwad local authorities.
He held various ministerial positions, including Minister for Water Resources, major and medium irrigation from 2008 to 2013, and was responsible for Home Affairs, Law, Parliamentary Affairs, and Cooperation from 2019 to 2021. He also oversaw Haveri and Udupi districts from 2019 to 2021.
In July 2022, Bommai achieved a significant milestone by becoming only the second BJP Karnataka member to complete one year as the state’s chief minister. During his tenure, he earned the nickname “Common Man – CM” in the media and among his supporters.
Bommai’s father, S. R. Bommai, was a former Chief Minister of Karnataka and Union Minister of Human Resource Development. He is remembered for his role in the landmark Supreme Court judgment, S. R. Bommai v. Union of India, which remains a highly cited verdict in India’s political history. Basavaraj Bommai and his father make up the second father-son duo, alongside H. D. Devegowda and H. D. Kumaraswamy, to have both served as Chief Ministers of Karnataka.
Basavaraj Bommai Personal Life
Bommai was born on January 28, 1960, in Hubli, which is now part of Karnataka, to former Chief Minister S. R. Bommai and his wife Gangamma Bommai. He graduated in Mechanical Engineering from KLE Technological University and began his career at Tata Motors in Pune.
Besides his work in the automotive industry, he is also involved in agriculture and industry. Bommai is married to Chennamma and has two children. He is a member of the Sadar Lingayat community.
Basavaraj Bommai Political Career
Mr. Bommai embarked on his political journey back in 1992 when he became a part of the Janata Dal party. During his time in the Janata Dal, he collaborated closely with prominent figures such as H. D. Deve Gowda and Ramakrishna Hegde. He also served as a political secretary to the then Chief Minister, J. H. Patel.
In 1994, Bommai ran as a candidate in the Karnataka legislative assembly elections from the Hubli Rural constituency, representing the Janata Dal. Unfortunately, he did not win the election, losing to Jagadish Shettar from the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Moving forward, in 1998, Bommai secured a position as a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council, representing the Dharwad local authorities constituency under the banner of the Janata Dal. After the Janata Dal disbanded, he joined the Janata Dal (United) and was re-elected in 2004 from the same Dharwad constituency.
However, his political journey took a turn in February 2008 when he left the Janata Dal (United) and switched his allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party within the same month.
Basavaraj Bommai Rise in Politics
In 2008, during the Karnataka state elections, he won a seat in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly representing Shiggaon in Haveri district. He was known as a close associate of the then Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa.
He later became a cabinet minister in Karnataka. In February 2008, he left the Janata Dal (United) and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. That same year, he was elected to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Shiggaon. Between 2008 and 2013, Bommai served as the Minister for Water Resources under Chief Ministers B. S. Yediyurappa, Sadananda Gowda, and Jagadish Shettar.
Bommai is well-regarded for his work in irrigation schemes and his expertise in irrigation matters in Karnataka. He’s credited with implementing India’s first 100% piped irrigation project in Shiggaon, Haveri district.
In the Fourth Yediyurappa ministry, he held important ministerial roles, including Minister of State for Home Affairs, Law, Parliamentary Affairs, and Cooperation. He was also responsible for Haveri and Udupi districts.
In December 2019, during a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Mangalore, violence erupted as protesters tried to lay siege to the Mangalore North police station and attack police officers.
The Home Minister, Bommai, ordered an investigation into the matter. Over 60 individuals were identified and detained by the police after the violence. The Karnataka government temporarily suspended mobile Internet services in Dakshina Kannada district in Mangaluru in response to the unrest.
Following the 2020 Bangalore riots, Bommai, who was the Home Minister at the time, ordered a thorough investigation and promised compensation for property damage caused by known participants in the riots, a policy inspired by Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh in the aftermath of anti-CAA protests there.
During the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Karnataka, Bommai, in his role as Home Minister, implemented strict lockdown measures. He transformed his residence in Shiggaon, Haveri district, into a Covid Care Centre that could accommodate up to 50 patients, easing the burden on the Shiggaon taluk hospital. He also organized medical staff and provided oxygen concentrators to care for the patients.
Basavaraj Bommai as Chief Minister of Karnataka
On July 26, 2021, B. S. Yediyurappa stepped down as Chief Minister of Karnataka, marking his second year in office. To decide the new Chief Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan and G. Kishan Reddy were appointed by the BJP’s national leadership. On July 27, 2021, Basavaraj Bommai was chosen as the 23rd Chief Minister of Karnataka.
He became the fourth Chief Minister from the Bharatiya Janata Party in the state. On his very first day in office, Bommai announced scholarships for farmers’ children to pursue higher education and increased pensions for widows, disabled individuals, and senior citizens.
In August 2021, under Bommai’s leadership, Karnataka became the first Indian state to implement the National Education Policy 2020. However, in September 2021, his administration faced criticism for demolishing local temples without government approval, following a Supreme Court order.
Due to public outcry, Bommai halted the temple demolitions. He also revived Pratibimba – the Chief Minister’s Dashboard, an online portal for reviewing development projects, in line with the Prime Minister’s Office.
In December 2021, Bommai’s government passed the Anti-Conversion bill, known as The Karnataka Right to Freedom of Religion Bill. This law prohibited forced religious conversions through fraud, allurement, or marriage, with some exemptions for re-conversion to one’s previous religion. The bill led to protests and opposition.
In March 2022, Bommai presented the Karnataka state budget with an allocation of 2.6 lakh crores. The budget included significant funds for infrastructure development, including flyovers, underpasses, highways, Namma Metro, and hospitals in Bangalore.
In May 2022, Bommai attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, aiming to attract investments to Karnataka, with a focus on the Global Investors meet held in Bangalore. He secured MOUs with LuLu Group International and ReNew Power companies for substantial investments.
In October 2022, Bommai and former Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa initiated the ‘Jan Sankalp Yatra’ to counter the opposition’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ across the state.
In November 2022, Bommai’s government unveiled “The Statue of Prosperity,” a 108-foot-tall statue of city founder Kempe Gowda at Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore. This statue set a World Book of Records record as the tallest bronze statue of a city founder.
In February 2023, Bommai, alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inaugurated Asia’s largest helicopter manufacturing facility, HAL, in Tumkur. This facility was expected to boost employment and strengthen the defense sector.
In March 2023, Bommai’s government passed the controversial Factories (Karnataka Amendment) Act, increasing work hours and introducing changes in overtime and minimum wages in certain industries, which faced criticism.
In the same month, his government also made changes to caste reservations in government jobs and education, leading to protests and opposition from various communities and organizations.
FAQs on Basavaraj Bommai Biography
Who is Basavaraj Bommai?
Basavaraj Bommai is an Indian politician and engineer. He served as the 23rd Chief Minister of Karnataka from July 18, 2021, to May 19, 2023. He is affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has a notable political career in Karnataka.
What is Basavaraj Bommai's background?
Basavaraj Bommai was born on January 28, 1960, in Hubli, Karnataka. He comes from a political family, with his father, S. R. Bommai, having served as a Chief Minister of Karnataka and Union Minister of Human Resource Development.
What is Basavaraj Bommai's educational and professional background?
Bommai holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from KLE Technological University. He began his career at Tata Motors in Pune and has been involved in agriculture and industry.
Can you provide an overview of Basavaraj Bommai's political career?
Basavaraj Bommai's political journey began in 1992 when he joined the Janata Dal party. He held various positions within the party, working closely with influential figures such as H. D. Deve Gowda and Ramakrishna Hegde. He also served as a political secretary to Chief Minister J. H. Patel.
What are some key milestones in Basavaraj Bommai's political career?
Bommai was elected to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from Shiggaon in Haveri district in 2008 and served as a cabinet minister, specializing in water resources and irrigation. He played a significant role in implementing irrigation projects in Karnataka.
