Lingayat mutts feature big on Shah’s itinerary

Days after the State government’s notification giving ‘minority religion’ status for “Lingayat and Veerashaiva-Lingayats [believers of Basava Tatva]”, the two-day visit of the BJP national president, Amit Shah, to the State from Monday is headlined by his visits to multiple Lingayat mutts.

Mr. Shah is scheduled to visit Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru, Sirigere Mutt and Murugha Mutt in Chitradurga.

These are all Lingayat mutts and, of them, only the Murugha seer has been at the forefront of the movement for separate tag for Linagayat.

Shivakumara Swamy of Siddaganga Mutt and Sirigere seer are yet to take a stand over the issue.

The party’s State unit has organised the outreach, in an attempt at damage control and prevent any split in the Lingayat votes, sources said. He will also meet Madara Chennaiah Swami, a Dalit seer who is said to be interested in contesting on a BJP ticket.

Mr. Shah will tour three districts – Tumakuru, Shivamogga and Chitradurga - and will address conventions of coconut growers in Tiptur and arecanut growers in Thirthahalli.

He is also expected to broker peace between party State president B.S. Yeddyurappa and senior leader K.S. Eshwarappa when he is in Shivamogga.