Lingayat pontiffs demand Yediyurappa remains Karnataka CM
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 speculation 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 to complete his term. Many 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 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.
Kolada Mutt Seer Dr. Shantaveera Swamiji said Yediyurappa, who has brought BJP to power in the South, should not be replaced, and in case it is done a Veerashaiva-Lingayat should be made the Chief Minister.
“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. Many feel, B L Santhosh, BJP’s General Secretary in charge of the organization is spearheading the move to remove the Chief Minister.
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, said the people from Chief Minister’s camp.
Stating that all the pontiffs are of the view that Yediyurappa, who belongs to the community, a core voter base 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 now, 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 the 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 complete freedom, Panditaradhya Shivacharya Swami of Sanehalli Taralabalu Mutt said if the 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 the South, should not be replaced, and in case it is done a Veerashaiva-Lingayat should be made the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said that Yediyurappa should not resign and that BJP should not make the mistake of changing him.
It was Yeddiruppa who first brought BJP to power in Karnataka. Some conspired to remove him since he would not be a chamcha. Without Him BJP could not return power in the State. Only upon his return to BJP could the party win again. Why repeat the same mistake?
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) July 21, 2021
[With PTI inputs]
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BJPs top leadership thinks that the party won in Karnataka because of Modi-Shah wave. In fact BSY and Eswarappa built BJP in Karnataka. Modi-Shah do not have a plan to win the Southern States for seven seven years now.
It’s true that UP State was controlled by PMO and similarly all BJP rules states must come under PMO! Hot heads in RSS should keep quiet. If BSY ruling is not good this dictum applies to PM himself. BJP should understand that Congress-I in the state is powerful clandestinely supported by JDS.
BSY should be allowed to continue and complete his term. Dr,S.Swamy is correct.
Public memory is very short.
They have forgotten the black money and diaries recovered in a raid regards funds being given by Y to M.
What has become the order of the day and the new mantra is ” He is more corrupt” forgetting the fact that he himself is corrupt.
That is why Modi has taken no action against Swamy’s targets. They are all corrupt. In varying degrees etc. A house of cards ridden with political termites who will write the epitaph of India.
Demo gave monetary power to influence the situation. Wonder why Swamy has not targeted the man who was behind it and replaced him as financial maestro !