Good or bad, it is caste that counts

Mar 20, 2012 |

Bengaluru

Fresh battle lines are being drawn in state politics with the Vokkaliga community and its seers coming out in open support of Chief Minister D.V.Sadananda Gowda-a Vokkaliga. Upset over Sunday's war of words between two powerful seers over the leadership issue, when Sri Balagangadharanatha Swami of Adichunchungiri Math batted for Mr Gowda, and Sri Shantha Veera Swami of Kolada Math fiercely defended former chief minster Mr B. S Yeddyurappa, the Vokkaligas, the second largest community in Karnataka, have reportedly decided to do everything possible to ensure Mr Gowda retains his seat.

In a state already deeply polarized by caste, the existing fissure have deepened after the seers' signal to MLAs to remain true to their community, irrespective of their political affiliations. While Yeddyurappa has always enjoyed the unflinching support of the Lingayat community and its pontiffs, the Vokkaligas or for that matter, their pontiffs have so far never been a factor in the politics of the state BJP.

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