Ex-Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai To Make Lok Sabha Poll Debut From Haveri (Image: X/@BSBommai)Haveri Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka is all set to witness a high-profile electoral battle as the BJP has chosen former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai as the party candidate in the upcoming polls. Meanwhile, Congress has given ticket to Anandswamy Gaddadevarmath from Haveri, a constituency that has been dominated by the saffron party in the last three Lok Sabha elections.
Basavaraj Bommai, who served as the former CM of Karnataka from July 18, 2021, to May 2023, is the son of former Karnataka CM and Janata Dal leader SR Bommai. The veteran leader is a graduate in mechanical engineering and started his political career with the Janata Dal in 1992. According to an NDTV report, he also served as the political secretary to former CM JH Patel.
In 1998, Basavaraj Bommai became a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council and was re-elected in 2004. Notably, he was elected twice from the Dharwad local authorities’ constituency, representing the Janata Dal. In 2008, Basavaraj Bommai joined the BJP. The same year, he was elected to the Karnataka Assembly from Shiggaon constituency. He also served as Minister for Water Resources between 2008 and 2013. Basavaraj Bommai was considered a trusted aide of BJP leader BS Yediyurappa.
The BJP leader retained the Shiggaon constituency in Haveri in the 2013, 2018, and 2023 assembly polls. In July 2021, Basavaraj Bommai was sworn in as the 30th CM of Karnataka as Yediyurappa announced his decision to step down from the post. In the 2023 Karnataka Assembly polls, he secured a vote share of 54.95 percent and defeated the Congress candidate by 35,978 votes. However, Congress managed to win 135 of the 224 seats in the state, and Basavaraj Bommai resigned as Karnataka chief minister.
Basavaraj Bommai is contesting the Lok Sabha polls for the first time. By fielding Basavaraj Bommai, the prominent Lingayat leader from North Karnataka, the BJP is trying to retain the key constituency.