Karnataka: Seers rally behind BS Yediyurappa, say he should continue as CM

BENGALURU: With reports suggesting that the BJP high command may effect a major change in Karnataka, chief minister BS Yediyurappa seems to be getting ready for a show of strength involving mutts of various castes.
On Tuesday, more than 20 seers of Lingayat mutts from different parts of the state met Yediyurappa to express their support for him. They said if the BJP high command didn’t reconsider its reported plans for leadership change in the next two to three days, more than 300 pontiffs would gather in Bengaluru to decide the next course of action.
“BJP will be wiped out in Karnataka if Yediyurappa is disturbed. The decision (to remove Yediyurappa from the CM’s post) is laced with mala fide intention. What is the necessity to do this now? We demand that the party drop such plans, or else we will meet again in Bengaluru and send a message,” said Balehosur Mutt’s Dingaleshwar Swamiji.
Another group of seers, led by Shivamurthy Murugharajendra Swamiji from the Murugha Mutt in Chitradurga, held a press conference and demanded that Yediyurappa should continue in his role. “He is a mass leader and enjoys the support and respect of all castes and communities. Removing him will prove to be a great loss for BJP,” he said.
Basava Murthy Swamiji from the Madara Channaiah Guru Peetha, a prominent mutt of Scheduled Tribes, also said that Yediyurappa had helped all sections of society, and he should be allowed to complete his term. “It will be good for the state and BJP,” he added.
Siddarameshwara Swamiji of the Bhovi Guru Peetha and Shanthaveera Swamiji of the Kunchitigara Guru Peetha made similar statements.
The developments appear to be a repeat of what happened in 2011 when the BJP brass asked Yediyurappa to resign after the Lokayukta indicted him in an illegal mining case. He managed to get the support of most MLAs and seers of Lingayat mutts, ensuring that the party appointed the replacement of his choice, DV Sadananda Gowda.
“Going by today’s events, it seems that Yediyurappa will not accept the diktat of the high command unless his terms are met. But it is also true that he is now dealing with the powerful Modi-Shah duo instead of Advani-Rajnath,” said a senior BJP functionary.