Karnataka: Why BJP may not ignore Lingayat factor while appointing new CM

BENGALURU: Lingayat strongman BS Yediyurappa has been the face of BJP in Karnataka for the past two decades. But some reports now suggest the party may replace him with a non-Lingayat with hardline Hindutva ideology.
Union minister Pralhad Joshi, BJP national general secretary (organisation) BL Santosh, assembly speaker Visveshwara Hedge Kageri (all Brahmins), BJP national general secretary CT Ravi (Vokkaliga) and MLAs V Sunil Kumar (OBC) and Abhay Patil (Jain) fit the bill.

The idea, according to party insiders, is to turn the party of Lingayat-Brahmins into a Hindu-centric one. But the big question is: Can BJP ignore its core Lingayat vote base, which has been propelling it to power in the state since 2008? The Lingayat community, which accounts for 16-18 per cent of the state’s population, has historically shown its preference to BJP. Voters from the community — it includes about 99 sub-sects — hold sway in as many as 100 assembly constituencies.
Such is the dominance of these communities that of the 22 chief ministers that have governed Karnataka till now, nine have been Lingayats — eight from the Banajiga sub-sect and one from Sadar. Yediyurappa himself is Banajiga.
Those from Panchamasali sub-sect, which is dominant among Lingayats, have had no opportunity to become CM. Now three MLAs from the community — Arvind Bellad, Basanagouda Patil and Murugesh Nirani — seem to be the frontrunners.
Some also cite the example of 1990 when then Congress chief and Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had unceremoniously declared the exit of then CM Veerendra Patil, a Lingayat. After his exit, the Lingayat vote turned towards BJP and boosted its prospects in the state. Even though Congress came to power twice, its attempts to woo the Lingayats back to its fold failed. BJP may not want to make the same mistake by appointing a non-Lingayat CM.
Ahead of the 2013 assembly polls, Yediyurappa quit BJP and launched his own party (KJP) and garnered 10 per cent of Lingayat votes, ensuring defeat of BJP candidates in a number of constituencies and thus helping Congress, which came to power.
300 seers to hold rally today
The developments over the past three days may also have a slight bearing on the party’s decision-making. Pontiffs of several mutts, including Siddaganga, have been rallying behind Yediyurappa asking the BJP high command not to replace him. On Sunday, over 300 seers will hold a rally to extend support to him. To satisfy them, the party may be forced to replace Yediyurappa with another Lingayat.
However, some beg to differ on the issue. “BJP, despite having the support of Lingayats, has so far not managed to come to power on its own. A person with strong Hindutva ideology would do well to bring all communities into its fold,” said a BJP MLA, citing the example of former CM Ramakrishna Hegde, who enjoyed the support of Lingayats despite being a Brahmin.