Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Amit Shah, who is on a tour of the State to strengthen the party unit’s organisational structure, on Sunday visited the Adichunchanagiri Mutt at Bellur in Mandya district, a major religious centre for the Vokkaliga community.
Minutes after his arrival, Nirmalanandanatha Swami, seer of the mutt, said the mutt “will not involve itself in any political activity even though it offers blessings to politicians who visit”. He added that Mr. Shah’s visit was planned almost two years ago.
The BJP president was accorded a rousing reception when he arrived at the mutt, with the seer himself welcoming him. Mr. Shah visited the Sri Kalabhairaveshwara Temple and the samadhi of Balagangadhara Natha Swami on the mutt premises. He also released a book titled
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Later, Mr. Shah addressed the students of Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) on the occasion of their graduation day. He also made a reference to ‘Nada Prabhu’ Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bengaluru, while addressing the gathering at the mutt.
He commended the “great job” done by the mutt in offering education, shelter, food, healthcare, and cattle protection. He described its efforts as much better than those of any State government.
Mr. Shah’s visit to the mutt assumes importance as the mutt has a stronghold on the Vokkaliga community, which has a big population in the old Mysore region.
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Interestingly, former External Affair Minister S.M. Krishna, a prominent Vokkaliga leader from Mandya who recently quit the Congress and joined the BJP, was not present at the programme.