Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa today met the heads of several mutts in Bengaluru, strengthening His ties with the powerful priests of the state in what’s seen as a message to the BJP and its ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The meeting comes amid speculation that he would be faraway from the Chief Minister’s post by the top of this month
The political and non secular leaders of the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community — which comprises 16 per cent of the State’s population and is seen the BJP’s big support base within the state — are backing the Chief Minister. Several of Them have warned the BJP against any move to dislodge the 78-year-old, who also belongs to the community.
Veera Someshwara Shivacharya Swami said any move to exchange Mr Yediyurappa will have “big consequences” for The BJP.
Friction is common in politics, let anyone say anything, but we’ve confidence that B S Yediyurappa will continue Because the Chief Minister and complete the term. If there are any shortcomings during this , it’ll have big Consequences for the party,” he was quoted as saying by press agency Press Trust of India.
Congress leader and therefore the head of the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, Shamanur Shivashankarappa, said the Community is behind the Chief Minister.
“They (BJP leadership) should remember history — S Nijalingappa, Veerendra Patil, J H Patel and S R Bommai (all former Chief Ministers). they’re going to destroy themselves if they attempt such a thing,” PTI quoted Mr Shivashankarappa as Saying.
The Chief Minister’s meeting came each day after an audio clip purportedly of the state BJP chief talking of a change in Guard was widely circulated The 47-second clip features a man telling someone: “Don’t tell anyone. Without Eshwarappa, Jagdish Shettar there’ll be a replacement team. don’t be concerned , it’s on our hands. There are three Names, it comes from Delhi.”
State BJP chief Nalinkumar Kateel called it fake, involved an investigations and denied any possibility of a change in leadership Mr Yediyurappa, who met top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi earlier this Month, has brushed away the likelihood of his removal.
Some Karnataka BJP MLAs are vocal in their criticism of Mr Yediyurappa and his son Vijayendra. But the party has done Little to silence the critics, raising speculation about which side it’s on
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