Mangaluru: The recent political events in Karnataka are said to have raised concern in the BJP camp as they risk facing the wrath of the Lingayat community, a crucial voting bloc in the state.
The retirement of BS Yediyurappa, a prominent Lingayat leader and the face of the BJP in Karnataka, and the subsequent resignations of Laxman Savadi and Jagadish Shettar, both Lingayat community members, have raised concerns about the party's performance in the election.
Yediyurappa, a prominent Lingayat leader and the face of the BJP in Karnataka, announced his retirement from electoral politics amidst opposition claims that he was pressured by the Party High Command.
Despite this, the BJP managed to handle the situation by praising Yediyurappa's contributions to Karnataka at every opportunity. Yediyurappa himself clarified on several occasions that he was treated with utmost respect by the party.
However, the recent resignation of Savadi and Shettar, both from the Lingayat community, has put the BJP in a difficult position, as they risk alienating the Lingayat community.
The Lingayat community is one of the strong communities in Karnataka. Angering them could affect the prospects of the BJP, especially in North Karnataka where the party is planning to win more seats to increase its number in the state.
Congress leaders have already started targeting the BJP on this issue.
Congress Campaign Committee chairman MB Patil tweeted: "Lingayats are not treated as the core of BJP, but merely a vote bank. Karnataka will witness a new massive political churn because of how Lingayats were mistreated by the BJP & specifically Two Vested Common Interests. Lingayats are set to return HOME to the Congress in 2023."
KPCC Working President Eshwar Khandre also spoke out against the BJP, accusing them of neglecting Lingayat Veerashaiva community leaders.
"They brought tears to the eyes of Yediyurappa. Jagadish Shettar, who had served the party for 30 years, had difficulty getting a ticket. Savadi was also in tears and joined Congress. They are kicking the ladder after using it," he said.
Meanwhile, the BJP is trying its best to tackle the situation.
While Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who too is from the same community, stated that BJP has given the maximum number of ministerships to the Lingayat community, Bijapur MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal has said that BJP would come to power in this election and the next Chief Minister would be from the Lingayat community.
"BS Yediyurappa is actively with the BJP. Jagadish Shettar might have left BJP but his brother Pradeep Shettar, an MLC, is in BJP. Mahesh Kumathalli, who has been fielded in Athani instead of Savadi, is from Lingayat community. Similarly Mahesh Tenginakai, fielded in Jagadish Shettar's constituency is also from the same community. There is no question of neglecting the Lingayat community," BJS state spokesperson Capt Ganesh Karnik told Deccan Chronicle.
"Congress leaders are speaking about BJP neglecting Lingayat. Then why hasn't Congress elected its 92 year-old MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa, the senior most leader from the community as the Chief Minister? People know the divide and rule policy of Congress," he added.
