KJP will be detrimental to BJP, JD(S): Vishwanath

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Leaders from various political parties are bracing for an explosive start by B.S. Yeddyu­rappa’s Karnata­ka Jana­ta Party(KJP), which they say, has the blessings of several Lingayat maths and could emerge as a formidable force in the days to come.

These leaders know that Mr Yeddyurappa, despite the scams he is allegedly involved in, enjoys enormous clout among the majority of Veerashaiva maths which in turn command a lot of influence among microscopic backward class (BC) communities like Kumbar, Kammar, Madivala, Uppara besides the Lingayats.

Senior Congress leader and Kuruba leader, A.H. Vishwa­nath feels KJP will prove detrimental not only to BJP but also to JD(S). “It is a fact that most BC communities in the state derive spiritual strength from Veera­shaiva philosophy prop­ou­nded by the Lingayat maths. Though the OBCs too have their maths, these communities have no hesitation in accepting the guidance offered by Lingayat maths," he said.

According to him, the relationship between Veerashaiva maths and backward castes is very strong as Lingayat seers were the first spiritual leaders to give them deeksha and allow them to enter math premises. “The rituals for the BCs were performed by these pontiffs even before our own maths came into existence. Hence, it would be foolhardy to write off Mr Yeddyurappa’s KJP,” said Mr Vishwanath.

“In the case of JD(S), their vote bank is primarily the Vokkaliga comm­unity. If the Veera­shaiva maths stand solidly behind Mr Yedd­urappa, he may even win seats in the Cauvery basin,” he said.