INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
a month to go for the assembly elections in Karnataka, politics over the state's Lingayat-Veerashaiva votes has found a new flashpoint -
the birth anniversary of Basaveshwara, the 12th-century saint revered by both sects
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to pay his respects to the saint on the banks of river Thames in London, a lawmaker of his party
back home said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah cannot be allowed the privilege."Siddaramaiah should not be allowed to garland any statue of
Basaveshwara throughout the state," said Shobha Karandlaje, the BJP parliamentarian from Udupi-Chikmagalur constituency
"Mr Siddaramaiah split the Lingayat community only with an intention to gain votes and create a vote bank for his party I request all the
Lingayats and Veerashaivas to bar Siddaramaiah from garlanding Basaveshwara's statue".The BJP, which traditionally enjoyed support among
the state's substantial Veerashaiva-Lingayat community, has been stung by the Congress move to provide Lingayats with religious minority
status, which helps a community get government grants and other advantages in education.It has found support among the key religious figures
One of them even communicated this to BJP chief Amit Shah during his visit to the state and later, made the letter public.The BJP is going
Over the last month, the BJP leaders belonging to the Lingayat community, including its chief ministerial candidate BS Yedyurappa, have
spoken at length, alleging the Congress move is politically motivated
Party chief Amit Shah visited a number of Lingayat mutts and met a number of leaders of the sect
The matter has also reached the court.Today, PM Modi, who is on a visit to London, is expected to unveil a statue of Basaveshwara
round of campaign, started it with a visit to a Basaveshwara statue
Not to be outdone, the Congress has made similar plans to start off the day for the Chief Minister.In Delhi, party chief Rahul Gandhi
tweeted:Mr Siddaramaih has maintained silence on the BJP lawmaker's outburst
But his home minister, Ramalinga Reddy, lost his cool
"Who is she Who is she to tell us Basaveshwara is not the property of Shobha Karandlaje," Mr Reddy said.
