In poll bound Karnataka political parties have started politics of polarisation. As part of its strategy to counter ruling Congress Government led by Siddaramaiah which wanted the division of lingayats to garner votes, the major Opposition BJP has opposed its move to divide lingayats which is one of the dominant communities in the State.
BJP strongman and lingayat leader BS Yeddyurappa has opposed the division and said his party wants lingayats as one community. lingayats with over 18 per cent of the State population plays a pivotal and decisive role in Karnataka politics.
BJP State president BS Yeddyurappa after meeting the panchacharyas who are considered as the supreme in the community on Wednesday said it was a conspiracy by the ruling Congress and some Ministers in the Siddaramaiah Cabinet.
He said it was a deliberate ploy to create confusion among the community which is so far united and said the saffron party would oppose any such move by the Congress. He said “We support the decision of Akhila Bharat Veerashyva-lingayat Samudaya headed by former Minister Shamanur Shivashankarappa who has stated that the two sects of the religion are one and the same and there is no need for division.
We will oppose any such move and also fight the conspiracies of the Congress and its Ministers to divide the community”.
The issue has gained momentum with Karnataka Minister for Water Resources MB Patil and Basavaraja Horatti taking the initiative and convening meetings of lingayat matt heads at several places.
The Karnataka Minority Commission, which has received a memorandum seeking the division of lingayat and Veerashyva religion has forwarded the same to Central Minority Commission with recommendation for according minority status to lingayat religion.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also constituted a committee to validate the demand of the lingayat and Veerashaivas as it would politically benefit the congress in the ensuing elections which is crucial for the party.
Karnataka Assembly polls are seen as a test bed for newly coroneted Congress President Rahul Gandhi who is invoking soft Hindutva a new found political ideology for the congress after appeasement politics of minorities.