Lingayat pontiffs rally behind Yediyurappa, want BJP to allow him to complete term
Bengaluru, July 21 (PTI): Support continues to pour in for Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa from Mutts, as several pontiffs made a beeline to his official residence for the second consecutive day on Wednesday and threw their weight behind him, amid speculations that his exit was on the cards.
A delegation of about 40 pontiffs met Yediyurappa under the leadership of Siddalinga Swamiji of Siddaganga Mutt, an influential Lingayat seminary in the State, and urged the BJP leadership to allow Yediyurappa complete his term.
A few of them have reportedly warned the saffron party of bad consequences if Yediyurappa is replaced.
"Why is it (leadership change talks) happening, when the Chief Minister is working efficiently at the time of crisis? The wish of all the Swamijis is that he should be the Chief Minister for a complete term. Earlier too, he was not Chief Minister for the complete term," Siddalinga Swamiji said.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said all that the Chief Minister has said is that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President J P Nadda have shown special care towards him, and he was the only one who was given the exception to continue in the top post despite completing 75 years of age.
"Yediyurappa has said he will continue to serve the party until his last breath, but he did not say anything when asked about the resignation," the Swamiji added.
On Tuesday, over two dozen pontiffs from different parts of the State, led by Balehosur mutt's Dingaleshwar Swamy, met Yediyurappa, during which the latter had told them that he would have to abide by the decision taken by the BJP central leadership, giving some credence to speculation that a change of leadership was on the anvil.
As many as 300-400 pontiffs are expected to gather in Bengaluru in a couple of days to discuss the future course of action, sources said.
Stating that all the pontiffs are of the view that Yediyurappa, who belongs to the community, a core votebase of BJP, should continue in office and complete the term, Siddalinga Swamiji today said this is a time of crisis as rains have begun, COVID-19 third wave is likely, and if there is a change at this point in time, it would not be possible to provide a stable administration and serve the people.
"Keeping all this in mind, he (Yediyurappa) should continue and he should be there as the Chief Minister till the end of this term, this is the wish of all the seers," he said on behalf of other pontiffs.
Siddalinga Swamiji is the successor of late Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Mutt, who was known as the 'Walking God'.
Rejecting criticism that pontiffs are indulging in politics, Siddalinga Swamiji said the pontiffs have supported all Chief Ministers, whichever party they may be from.
"We are non-partisan, but the special thing about Yediyurappa is that we want him to complete the term," he said.
Meanwhile, Mallikarjun Swamiji of Murugha mutt in Dharwad warned that BJP would face a major setback in Karnataka if Yediyurappa is replaced as he is the "foundation" for the party in the State, and that the veteran leader should be allowed to complete the term.
Stating that any government can give a good administration if there is a complete freedom, Panditaradhya Shivacharya Swami of Sanehalli Taralabalu Mutt said if Centre conspires to control the State governments any Chief Minister cannot give a complete administration as their hands would be tied, and "this is what has happened" to Yediyurappa.
Kolada Mutt Seer Dr Shantaveera Swamiji said Yediyurappa, who has brought BJP to power in South, should not be replaced, and in case it is done a Veerashaiva-Lingayat should be made the Chief Minister.
Yediyurappa is known for having provided generous grants to mutts and religious institutions during his previous term as Chief Minister, and thereby has earned their trust, according to some analysts.
Recently, amid speculations on his replacement, Yediyurappa's younger son and State BJP Vice-President B Y Vijayendra held a series of meetings with prominent Veerashaiva-Lingayat seers, which had raised eyebrows in political circles.
Community factor also seems to have come to the fore with prominent Veerashaiva-Lingayat political leaders and seers from the community throwing their weight behind Yediyurappa.
On Monday, Congress leaders Shamanur Shivashankarappa and M B Patil, also Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, the head of the Chitradurga-based Sri Jagadguru Murugharajendra Mutt, Sri Veera Someshwara Shivacharya Swami of Rambhapuri Peetha of Balehonnur, and Srisaila Jagadguru Channa Siddharama Panditaradhya, had warned BJP of backlash if Yediyurappa is replaced.
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After Amethi, Congress' 'sahabzade' will lose Wayanad seat also: PM Modi targets Rahul Gandhi
Nanded (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, saying that in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, "Congress' sahabzade" will lose from Wayanad constituency in Kerala and he will have to look for a safer seat after that.
Addressing a rally at Nanded in Maharashtra to campaign for BJP candidates from Nanded and Hingoli seats, Modi said the information available for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls indicates that there has been a one-sided voting in favour of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Referring to Rahul Gandhi, Modi said, "After losing Amethi, the Congress' sahabzade will lose Wayanad as well. So he will have to look for a safe seat after April 26."
In an apparent reference to Sonia Gandhi, he said some INDIA bloc leaders left the Lok Sabha and moved to the Rajya Sabha as they have no courage to contest elections.
"For the first time, the family will not vote for a Congress candidate in the constituency where they live as there is no party candidate there," he said.
Modi said he has spent 10 years fixing the bad governance of the Congress regimes.
"A lot of work needs to be done," he added.
The Congress has been a barrier in the development of farmers and poor people, he alleged.
"The agriculture crisis did not happen now. It happened because of the flawed policies of Congress," Modi said.
Targeting the INDIA bloc, he said it has no face to project and people do not know whom to entrust the country's future.
"They may claim anything, but the reality is that Congress leaders have accepted defeat even before the announcement of polls," he said.
He termed the opposition alliance a grouping of selfish people who have come together to protect their corrupt practices.
He appealed to voters to come out in large numbers to exercise their voting right in the Lok Sabha elections.
"You are not doing any favour by voting. you are securing the country's future. I want to boost the morale of the party workers from the opposition. You (opposition leaders) are sure to lose the polls, but you will get a chance some day. But you must appeal to voters to vote," he said.
Modi said the INDIA bloc constituents were contesting the elections against each other in 25 per cent seats.
"After (the election results on) June 4, they will be fighting more with each other," he said.
He said that without the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, what fate would have befallen Sikhs who came from Afghanistan.
The NDA under PM Modi is seeking a stronger majority for a third consecutive term, while the constituents of the opposition INDIA bloc are hoping for a rebound after facing reverses in the 2014 and 2019 elections.
