BSY backs Congress leader’s claim on Veerashaiva Lingayats’ ‘neglect’

Senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa has welcomed Veteran Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s statement that the Veerashaiva Lingayat community is getting a raw deal under his party’s government in Karnataka.

The 92-year-old Shivashankarappa’s statement, made over the weekend, has understandably created a stir within the ruling party, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah denying the charge.

At the same time, sensing an opportunity to target the Congress government, Opposition BJP has accused it of neglecting the community. Yediyurappa, who also hails from the community, on Sunday (October 1) welcomed Shivashankarappa’s statement and called on the Veershaiva Lingayats to be united.

The grouses

Shivashankarappa heads the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, a body that represents the dominant community. “Many (officers from the community) have not been given (good posts) ... Our community and its officers are facing trouble,” Shivashankarappa said.

Responding to a question on whether there should be a Lingayat chief minister, he said, “Earlier, Lingappa (Nijalingappa) and Veerendra Patil were there (as chief ministers). During their tenure, we ran the administration; they had kept us good. Now, our people have become helpless.”

Furthermore, stating that the community need not settle for the post of a deputy chief minister’s post, he responded to a question saying, “Who wants a DCM post...if possible, become CM or else leave it.”

Congress left red-faced

Shivashankarappa’s statement, despite his son SS Mallikarjun being a state minister, has caused embarrassment to the Congress.

The Veerashaiva Lingayats are said to constitute about 17 per cent of the state’s population, and many in the state Congress are worried that such a statement by Shivashankarappa, a senior leader of the community in the state, may impact the party.

During the 2023 Assembly polls, the Congress had caused a dent in BJP’s Veershaiva Lingayat support base, with a campaign alleging that that the saffron party had neglected the dominant community.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, rejecting Shivashankarappa’s claim on Saturday, had pointed out that there are seven Lingayat ministers in his Cabinet. “There is no chance for any injustice. No religion or caste will face injustice under Congress,” he said.

BJP seizes chance

Reacting to Shivashankarappa’s statement, Yediyurappa said on Sunday, “Shamanur Shivashankarappa is the national president of the Veerashaiva community body. The feelings that he has expressed — I’m in complete agreement with it.”

Shivashankarappa’s concern about the current government’s alleged neglect of the Veerashaiva Lingayats is shared by all the leaders of the community, he said. “So, I welcome his statement. In such a situation, I call upon the Veerashaiva Lingayat community to awaken, and to unite.”

Responding to a question on Yediyurappa’s support for Shivashankarappa’s statement, Siddaramaiah said on Sunday, “Ours is a secular government; there will be no injustice to anyone.”

Pointing out government schemes, he said they are not specific to any community or religion. “We don’t practise caste or community politics. We see everyone equally.”

(With agency inputs)