CM Siddu to Modi: Give Bharat Ratna to Siddaganga seer

State government urges centre to confer Bharat Ratna to Siddaganga math seer Dr SShivakumara Swamiji. The letter was drafted on 24/1/2018. BJP alleges this decision of CM as vote gimmick.

After playing Lingayat card, CM Siddaramaiah has now referred Siddaganga Math seer Dr Shivakumara Swamiji for Bharat Ratna.

An official letterhead of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah drafted on 24/1/2018 says that 110-year-old seer's contribution to society is immense. Highlighting the efforts of establishing over 130 educational institutions which hosts more than 9,000 students with free food, accommodation and education, CM has urged PM Narendra Modi to confer Dr Shivakumara Swamiji the  Bharat Ratna title.

However, BJP has questioned the intention of CM for naming Swamiji's name for the title now.  "Earlier they named Former CM late Nijalingappa's name for the same on December title but now they seem to have changed their mind. This decision is taken keeping votes in mind," said S Prakash, Joint Spokesperson, Karnataka BJP.

Lashing out at BJP for such comments, Dr Sharan Prakash Patil, Medical Education Minister said, there is no politics in referring Swamiji's name for such recognition. "This title is long overdue for such a great personality. We cannot do politics all the time and this is a very genuine case,"  he added.

Echoing similar sentiments, JDS Spokesperson, Ramesh Babu said that this is the most valuable person for such a recognition from Karnataka. "Earlier HD Deve Gowda had written a letter. This trend was followed by HD Kumaraswamy when he was the CM. I am happy that the current CM has also named Shivakumar Swamiji's name for Bharat Ratna."