Lingayat

Citing requests from leaders of both the BJP and the Congress, Dingaleshwar Swami announced his intention to withdraw from the electoral race. He also revealed plans to announce his political affiliation and the candidate he intends to support on Tuesday.

Dingaleshwara Swamiji, an independent candidate for the Dharwad Lok Sabha seat, criticizes partisan politics in the region, alleging betrayal of public interests. He emphasizes the significance of the Kuruba community and laments the lack of representation for Veerashaiva Samaj members. Swamiji accuses both BJP and Congress of neglecting communities' welfare.

The leaked Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission report reveals a demographic shift with minorities constituting 60% of the population, surpassing historically dominant groups. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah emphasizes transparency, advocating for social justice based on the caste census data, while a cabinet sub-committee is set to analyze.

The BJP is actively considering bringing back former Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi, who recently joined the Congress, to field him in the Bidar Lok Sabha constituency. Efforts to woo him back have intensified, driven by discontent with the current MP Bhagwant Khooba. Savadi's success in a previous by-election and his appeal to Maratha and Lingayat communities make him a strategic candidate.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, a prominent Lingayat leader, is set to rejoin the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. After successful talks with BJP leader Amit Shah in Delhi, Shettar, who had previously switched allegiance to the Congress, is expected to return to the BJP. The decision was finalized after discussions with associate Shankar Patil Munenakoppa and BJP leaders Yediyurappa and Vijayendra.

In a critical juncture for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka, a rallying cry is resonating within the party's ranks to make concerted efforts in retaining the influential former minister, V Somanna. A key organizer and prominent leader of the Veerashaiva Lingayat community, Somanna's potential departure is seen as a potential setback for the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
 

MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, from the Veerashaiva Lingayat community, was sworn in as the state president on Wednesday. The swearing-in ceremony was scheduled for 10 a.m. at Jagannath Bhavan, the BJP office in Malleswaram, Bengaluru. Preceding the oath-taking, traditional rituals, including Homa and Havan, were performed at the BJP state office. Nalin Kumar Kateel, the outgoing president, has passed the baton to Vijayendra, symbolising the transition of leadership.
 

Congress MLA Shivaraj Tangadagi voices dissent over Vijayendra's BJP presidency, citing discontent among senior BJP leaders. He questions BJP's electoral strategy for Lok Sabha polls, emphasizing Congress unity and doubting BJP's ability to appoint an opposition leader. Tangadagi downplays potential Congress losses, highlighting Lingayat community focus on governance. He criticizes BJP's handling of drought issues, urging concrete farmer support.

Panditaradhya Shivacharya Swamiji's contentious statement that "Ganpati is not our culture" at a drama festival in Chitradurga has ignited anger within Hindu communities. The Swamiji emphasized the significance of Lingayat and Sharana culture, citing supportive scholars, while critics accuse him of seeking publicity. The controversy has stirred debates and condemnation from pro-Hindu groups.

Concerns have arisen about the perceived neglect of Veerashaiva Lingayats within the Congress government, sparked by an independent MLA's alignment with the Congress. This move is seen as a response to grievances expressed by some Veerashaiva Lingayat MLAs who feel overlooked by the government.
 

Karnataka Election 2023: The Lingayat and Vokkaliga voters will play a major role in the state. Lingayats comprise 17 percent of the population and Vokkaligas 11 percent. Significantly, Karnataka is the only state in the South where BJP is in power.

The manifesto was unveiled by BJP national president JP Nadda in the presence of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and his predecessor and Lingayat stalwart BS Yediyurappa.

The former home and water resources minister also said he has neither been sidelined nor losing his importance in the party after Jagadish Shettar and Laxman Savadi, the tall Lingayat leaders from BJP, joined the Congress. 

Reacting to Congress president DK Shivakumar who has promised to restore the Muslim reservation if his party comes to power, Shah sought to know whose quota the party will scrap if it manages to form the government in Karnataka.

The election season in Karnataka has kicked into top gear. The state which is scheduled to go to polls on May 10, is witnessing intense campaigning by leaders of top leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, the Congress party and the Janata Dal-Secular. Besides, there are a number of Kannada celebrities who are campaigning in high-profile constituencies. Corruption and price rise are some of the issues that the opposition is pinning their hopes on while the government is banking on the governance and development agenda. Experts believe that the Narendra Modi factor will be crucial for the BJP while the Congress will be hoping that there is still some resonance of Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra among the voters in Karnataka. Will Basavaraj Bommai be able to retain power in the state or will Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar be able to dethrone the ruling BJP? The Karnataka verdict will be out on May 13. Watch this space for the latest updates.