The quest for Lingayat votes ahead of the 2018 polls in Karnataka appears to be fuelling a one-upmanship battle between Water Resources Minister M.B. Patil and BJP’s Chief Ministerial candidate B.S. Yeddyurappa, both leaders from the community.
A volley of accusations, counter-accusations and sarcastic remarks have laced both their speeches ever since Congress won the byelection to Gundlupet constituency, which has a significant Lingayat population.
Mr. Patil has said that Mr. Yeddyurappa is extremely “jealous” of his rising popularity among the Lingayats and the victory in Gundlupet has hurt his ego. Mr. Patil claimed Mr. Yeddyurappa was “unable to tolerate some of the popular decisions” taken by the government under his initiative.
Sources in the Congress said that a few decisions such as naming the Karnataka State Women’s University after Akka Mahadevi, mandatory display of social reformer Basavanna’s portrait in government offices and establishment of Basavanna museum at Kudalasangama have “diminished the popularity” of the State BJP president, who “claims to be sole guardian of the community.”
Interestingly, the recent (June 29) mega political bash of the Congress at Kudalasangama to kick-start its poll campaign saw a large gathering where Lingayat leader S.R. Patil was appointed party’s working president.
The next day (June 30), Mr. Yeddyurappa visited Mr. M.B. Patil’s constituency Babaleshwar and announced that he would order an inquiry against his alleged corrupt practices within 24 hours if he becomes the Chief Minister.
Congress sources said Mr. Yeddyurappa “has developed the habit of making baseless allegations” against Congress Ministers, especially Mr. M.B. Patil. Calling himself a “small leader” compared to Mr .Yeddyurappa, Mr. M.B. Patil said in a remark laced with sarcasm that Mr. Yeddyurappa would do well to remember that he did not have proprietorial rights over the entire Lingayat community.
