Vishwanath: Kaginele seer owes allegiance to Siddaramaiah

Hubballi: The confrontation between Kuruba seer Niranjanananda Puri Swamiji of Kaginele Kanaka Gurupeetha and JD(S) leader H. Vishwanath has escalated with the latter accusing the seer of owing allegiance to Congress and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, instead of confining himself to religious and social activities. 

Mr Vishwanath asked why the seer kept quiet when he, after suffering injustice from Siddaramaiah, had to desert Congress and join JD(S) though he is a Kuruba. 

The seer had asked why Vishwanath joined the JD(S) when he was opposed to former Prime Minister Deve Gowda.  Attacking Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, the seer had said that the officials belonging to Kuruba community are being targeted by the state government to take revenge against Siddaramaiah. He had also warned the Congress high command against sidelining Siddaramaiah. 

Mr Vishwanath said, “Siddaramaiah is not the only Kuruba leader in our community. I have a big role in bringing him to Congress and making him the chief minister. He had opposed setting up of Kaginele Gurupeetha. We have immense contribution to establish six Kuruba religious mutts. It is not appropriate for any seer to support only one politician. I want to question the seer whether his mutt is meant only for Siddaramaiah?”

The seer had said that Vishwanath ruined his political career because of his self-inflicted problems. The seer said that he never interfered in politics and raised his voice whenever injustice was done to the Kuruba community. 

“Vishwanath had compared Deve Gowda to a snake and Siddaramaiah to a frog when both were together in JD(S). He had also warned Siddaramaiah that he would become a scapegoat. Now, he has joined JD(S), despite vehemently opposing their top leaders. I wish good for him, though he has criticised me. But, he should not bring his personal dispute with Siddaramaiah to the mutt,” the seer said.