Bommai passes away

Former Karnataka Chief Minister S R Bommai passed away in Bangalore late on Wednesday evening after prolonged illness.

Bommai, 84, who the Chief Minister of Karnataka for about eight months from August 13, 1988 till his controversial dismissal on April 21, 1989, breathed his last at a private hospital, where he was undergoing treatment for last few weeks.

A veteran politician of Karnataka, Bommai was identified with the famous Janata Parivar quartet along with late Chief Ministers Ramakrishna Hegde and J H Patel, besides former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda.

It was the Supreme Court’s verdict on the dismissal of Bommai Government in 1989 that helped redefine the circumstances under which the Governor can dismiss state Governments and impose President’s rule under article 356 of the Constitution.

On April 21, 1989, some Janata Party MLAs withdrew support to Bommai. The then Governor P Venkatasubbaiah dismissed the Bommai Government and recommended federal rule in the State. The recommendation was accepted by the then Federal Government and ratified by the then President K R Narayanan.

However, the Supreme Court declared the dismissal of Bommai Government as unconstitutional and stipulated floor test as the sole yardstick for verifying majority in case of doubt. By the time the Supreme Court passed the order in March 1994, a new Government was in place. But, the verdict, popularly known as Bommai case verdict, serves as a ready-reckoner for Governors.

Meanwhile, several leaders belonging to various political parties visited Bommai’s residence at R T Nagar in Bangalore and paid their last respects to the departed soul. Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and former Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa also visited Bommai’s residence.

Bommai’s mortal remains were yesterday taken to his native place in Hubli, where the last rites will be performed with full state honours on Friday.

The veteran Janata Parivar leader, who had played an important role in consolidating anti-Congress forces in Karnataka, leaves behind two daughters and two sons, including JD (United) MLC Basavaraj Bommai.