HUBBALLI: BJP president Amit Shah sent out a categorical message to his party’s biggest vote bank in the run up to Assembly polls scheduled for May 12: The BJP-led NDA government in New Delhi as well as his party will never allow a division of Lingayats and Veerashaivas, and refrain from interference in issues concerning religion.
Speaking during an interaction with hundreds of seers at Shivayogi Mandir in Badami taluk of Bagalkot district, he assured scores of seers that they need not panic about the state government’s recommendation to accord minority status for Lingayats. “I have not come to Shivayogi Mandir to indulge in politics. I have visited here just to seek the blessing of seers. I will give you commitment that we will not allow a division of the community as long as the BJP is in power at the Centre, and will also fight against it in future.”
Hundreds of seers, who converged at the religious institution, expressed displeasure against the state government’s decision to recommend separate religion tag for Lingayats. Many of them argued that it was a political conspiracy hatched by Congress government to divide the community and the votes.
With Tuesday’s visit, Mr Shah has completed interactions with seers of Lingayats and Veerashaivas and sought their support for the BJP.
His categorical announcement at Shivayogi Mandir, however, could trigger a legal battle with Lingayat leaders who have demanded separate religion status for the community. These leaders, who have already held several rallies, are likely to move the court against the Union government for positive action on recommendation made by the state government last month.
