Lingayat strongman vs seer: Yediyurappa, Vachanananda Swami argue over ministerial berths

Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa indulged in public argument with Lingayat seer, Vachanananda Swami on January 14. At an event, deer belonging to the Panchamsali sect in Harihar, Swami Vachanand addressed thousands gathered in the event. During the event, he said to CM BS Yediyurappa seated next to him, “Murugesh Nirani has stood with you like a rock. Induct him into the Cabinet, otherwise the Panchamsali Lingayats will abandon their support to you.”

Yediyurappa, hearing this, immediately got up and was heard telling the Swami, “Don’t threaten me. You can advise, but don’t threaten.” Meanwhile, the Swami, however, insisted that his community was ‘demanding justice’.