Fearing Lingayat backlash, Eshwarappa meets Mutt head

Perhaps bowing to the importance of Lingayats, a dominant caste in Karnataka, former Deputy Chief Minister and Kuruba community leader KS Eshwarappa met Shivakumara Swamiji of Tumkur Mutt on Saturday.         

 

BJP leader Eshwarappa, who recently held a convention for backwards communities through his Sangolli Rayanna Brigade in Haveri, has been trying to cement his importance within the BJP party and Karnataka politics.

 

At presently, only three leaders can be considered as serious contenders for the coveted post of chief minister in the 2018 assembly elections- BJP's BS Yeddyurappa (a Lingayat), JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy (a Vokkaliga) and Congress' Siddaramaiah (a Kuruba). 

 

Amid these three, Eshwarappa, who is also a Kuruba, hopes to make a spot for himself.

 

However, his ambitions have driven a serious wedge between himself and BJP state party president Yeddyurappa. The recent formation of the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade, a move bitterly opposed by Yeddyurappa, has only driven the cold war between the two leaders a notch higher. And the fight has had larger ramifications as well. 

 

The meeting with the Lingayat Mutt head is seen a placating gesture towards the Lingayats. Many Lingayat leaders were upset over Eshwarappa's feud with Yeddyurappa, who they see as both a caste leader and the 'natural' choice for undisputed leader of the state BJP (and possible CM) . 

 

The community, which forms a large vote bank in Shivamogga, where Eshwarappa had won earlier, may scuttle his chances in next election if Eshwarappa antagonises them any further.

 

Sources from the Yeddyurappa camp have alleged that Eshwarappa met Shivakumara Swamiji only to increase his standing within the Lingayat community, as the Tumkur Mutt Swami has a worldwide following.  

 

Yeddyurappa is considered to be very close to Swamiji and is in regular touch with Mutt leaders across the state to consolidate his position in next the election.

 

Speaking at the meeting, Eshwarappa merely said, "I am a follower of Swamiji too. I had come to seek his blessing, "

 

When media persons raised questions about upsetting Yeddyurappa by forming the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade,  he said, "The aim of the brigade is not to upset Yeddyurappa or to promote myself in the party, but to make Yeddyurappa the CM."