Bid to woo Lingayat voters in hot seat Varuna

The Lingayat voters in the high profile Varuna constituency — from where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra and former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa’s son B.Y. Vijayendra are expected to lock horns — are being desperately wooed by both.

A day after Mr. Vijayendra called on retired IPS officer and “disgruntled” Congress leader L. Revannasiddaiah, a prominent Lingayat leader, Dr. Yathindra met the retired officer and requested him to work for his victory, on Monday. Lingayats have a significant presence in this constituency.

“I met Mr. Revannasiddaiah after being told by my father,” Dr. Yathindra said, while recalling his active campaign for his father in 2013.

Mr. Vijayendra, who met Mr. Revannasiddaiah and sought his support, is rumoured to have requested him to rejoin the BJP. There are also moves to placate the retired DGP, who is said to be miffed for being sidelined, to remain in the Congress fold.

Mr. Revannasiddaiah had unsuccessfully contested against Mr. Siddaramaiah from Chamundeshwari in 2004 (on Congress ticket) and in Varuna in 2008 (on BJP ticket). He later joined the Congress and campaigned for Mr. Siddaramaiah.

Sources here said Mr. Revannasiddaiah’s followers were ‘upset’ over their leader being sidelined by the Congress. The BJP reached out to Mr. Revannasiddaiah to strengthen its fortunes since the battle has become a prestige issue for it with the Chief Minister’s son in the fray.

Mr. Revannasiddaiah has remained non-committal on his support to both, though he wished them success in their maiden electoral tussle when they called on him at his residence.

“I’m waiting for a suitable political environment for my decision. I have to take a call, which may happen soon. I’m told the Chief Minister wanted to meet me. There have been some issues which need to be resolved. That’s all I want,” he told reporters on Monday.

He clarified that he was not upset with the party but said there was no encouragement to work for the party.

“I worked really hard for Mr. Siddaramaiah’s victory. I had to face the opposition from my community because of my stand. I reached out to educated voters for their support. I was never after power but wanted at least some responsibilities to be given to me,” he said.