Now, senior MLA from Siddaramaiah govt threatens to protest against him

Feeling let down by the chief minister Siddaramaiah and his policies, his colleague and prominent Vokkaliga leader in the Congress, Shamanur Shivashankarappa has threatened to protest against the latter. Davangere legislator Shamanur Shivashankarappa and national president of Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha has warned the chief minister that the community would not tolerate such ignorance by the government. The community would hold a protest by the year end in Bengaluru, he warned.

At the 14th mass marriage event organised by the Veerashaiva Panchamasali Samaja and Hara Seva Samstha in Davangere, MLA S Shivashankarappa was of the opinion that even though the Veerashaiva community constitutes 16 -17 per cent in the state, the recent caste survey conducted by the state government has reduced it to a mere 5-6 per cent. This has deprived the community of various government policies, he complained.

"Such injustice by the government would not be tolerated by the community. When Siddaramaiah could provide a compensation of Rs 10,000 if a sheep dies, he provides a meagre Rs 5,000 towards encouraging mass marriages. Isn't this injustice?," he asked.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is seen as the Ahinda leader with his many 'Bhagyas' - especially aimed at the poor and backward communities. Senior legislator Shamanur Shivashankarappa's public outburst against Siddaramaiah may prove costly to the Congress government. There has been a discontent brewing in the Congress camp against Siddaramaiah neglecting upper communities in the state including the Lingayat community. With BJP state president and prominent Lingayat leader BS Yeddyurappa trying to consolidate votes on caste, Shamanur Shivashankarappa's outburst must serve as warning to Siddaramaiah.

• shamanur shivashankarappa
• veerashaiva leader shamanur shivashankarappa
• siddaramaiah and lingayat community