After D K Shivakumar's act, will Lingayats vote for Congress?

Hubballi: Could Energy minister, D K Shivakumar’s public apology on the Siddaramaiah government’s support for a minority tag for the Lingayats  affect the Congress’ chances in  the  Jamkhandi byelection? 

There could be worry for the party as seers, who  back an independent religion status for Lingayats, have threatened to work against the Congress  in the bypoll.  Rebutting the claim that the Lingayat movement had depleted  Congress votes in the May Assembly poll,  Jaya Mruthyunjaya Swamiji of Panchamasali Jagadguru Peeth, Kudalasangam, says it had the opposite effect and warns the Lingayats may lose confidence in the Congress in the bypolls if its leaders give confusing statements on the issue.

“The last Congress government backed our movement for independent religion status for Lingayats. Minister Shivakumar too had  supported it. But now he has changed his stand under pressure from those against it. This could harm the Congress in the byelection,” the seer warned. 

While  BJP leaders are bound to try  and win over the Lingayats  in the Jamkhandi byelection by highlighting the confusing stand taken by Congress leaders on a minority status for Lingayats, Congress leaders claim any loss will be compensated by the fact that the party’s candidate, Anand Nyamagoudar belongs to the Ganiga sub-caste of Lingayats, which is dominant in the constituency. 

The Ganigas in Bagalkot district have vehemently opposed a minority tag for the community , arguing that both Veerashaivas and Lingayat are one and the same. 

These Congressmen also believe that the Muslim and Kuruba votes will come in handy for the party. They have, moreover, pinned their hopes on Mr  Siddaramaiah camping in the constituency for more than a week for campaigning, to help their chances.