‘Won’t be a rubber stamp CM’
BENGALURU: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday took oath as the 23rd chief minister of Karnataka at a ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan and told reporters that he will not be a “rubber stamp CM”.
Bommai, the son of former chief minister SR Bommai and a former home minister,was named the CM by the BJP on Tiuesday, a day after four-time CM BS Yediyurappa resigned following months of dissidence. A Lingayat leader, 61-year-old Bommai is considered close to his predecessor.
When asked about the perception that he was a proxy chief minister for Yediyurappa, Bommai said, “I have a simple response to this question. I am no rubber stamp CM, and I will prove that by ensuring that people will give their stamp of approval for my schemes.”
Soon after taking oath, Bommai thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his good wishes and said he would continue the good work done by the previous BS Yediyurappa-led state government.
“Thank you Prime Minister @narendramodi ji for your kind wishes. I will definitely continue the good work done by the state government under the able leadership of @BSYBJP. We, as a team, will work for the development of the state and the nation under the guidelines of all our senior leaders,” he tweeted.
Earlier, while congratulating Bommai, Modi lauded his predecessor Yediyurappa for his ‘monumental contribution’ to the growth of BJP and the state.
“Congratulations to Shri @Bsbommai Ji on taking oath as Karnataka’s CM. He brings with him rich legislative and administrative experience. I am confident he will build on the exceptional work done by our Government in the state. Best wishes for a fruitful tenure,” he tweeted.
Clarifying his statement on Tuesday that he would consult Yediyurappa on decisions, Bommai said, “When I said I will consult Yediyurappa on my decisions, I meant that the former CM had tackled the Covid-19 pandemic effectively, despite having financial constraints due to the pandemic. He gave several good schemes and ensured an able administration.
These experiences matter and that is what I meant that his guidance will be sought for the new cabinet to take further steps.”
He added there were no two power centres in Karnataka. “In our constitutional setup, there are certain posts which are mandated. As a chief minister of the state, you are first among equals. Even the cabinet has got its own constitutional power. As a CM, my job is to carry everyone along as a team. I can only say that we will work as a team and the power will rest with the team.”
Highlighting his immediate priorities, Bommai said he will be visiting flood-ravaged Karwar in Uttara Kannada district on Thursday and was waiting for PM Modi’s appointment for the Delhi visit, where he added, he will also meet home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh and BJP national president JP Nadda.