Shiroor Mutt Seer Lakshmivara Tirtha Swamy is all set to contest the assembly elections in May in Karnataka. He is seeking a ticket from the BJP. If not, he is even ready to contest as an independent candidate.
However, BJP has not reacted on this so far, but Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje has said that she is hopeful of Shiroor seer backtracking from the idea of taking a political plunge.
When the entire BJP with additional support from the RSS promoted Yogi Adityanath in the Uttar Pradesh, it is surprising that Shiroor seer has little support from the party. This is the sentiment echoed by Swamy's supporters in Udupi.
Speaking to media, Lakshmivara Tirtha Swamy had said that he is, of course, Yogi (in the sense of seer) but not Adityanath.
He will be contesting against one of his disciples Pramod Madhwaraj from the Congress, if he is sure to contest.
Especially after Pramod Madhwaraj trounced Sudhakar Shetty in the last elections, BJP lacks a strong candidate to field from Udupi. Will BJP come forward to support the Shiroor seer?