Bhaskar Ground Report: Yediyurappa wants to save the chair by showing the power of Lingayat community and Math

Sword hanging on several ministers including Yeddyurappa in Karnataka

Amid speculations of a change of leadership in Karnataka, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has started a show of strength. Saints of major monasteries are reaching Yediyurappa. 300-400 Lingayat saints are set to camp in Bengaluru to send a strong signal to the central leadership. Lingayat leaders of Congress are also raising their voice in their support. A decision on the change of leadership may be taken in the possible legislature party meeting on Monday 26 July. Late in the evening, Yediyurappa tweeted and asked his supporters not to make any such statement, which will tarnish the image of the party.

Although Yediyurappa knows that he has no option but to step down, but through this demonstration, both his sons, BJP Vice President Vijayendra and Shivamogga MP BY Raghavendra, want to get higher posts. In Delhi, he had created an environment in front of the leadership to make one son Deputy CM and the other a Union Minister, but did not succeed. Here, many senior ministers are set to leave in Karnataka.

These include names like Rural Development Minister KS Eshwarappa, Industries Minister Jagadish Shettar, Housing Minister V Somanna and Revenue Minister R Ashok. The saints, led by Sri Siddalinga Swamy of Siddaganga Matha, have met Yeddyurappa. There are more than 600 monasteries in Karnataka, these monasteries have a direct impact on 35% of the population. That is, their role in deciding the government is important. Yediyurappa has been continuously promoting these monasteries.

So Yeddyurappa’s victory is certain.

According to a political analyst associated with the BJP, if Yeddyurappa links this fight with Lingayat respect, then the central leadership will have to back down. Their population in the state is 18%. Yediyurappa is the most recognized leader of this community. The key to power in Karnataka remains in the hands of the Lingayats or Vokkaligas. Kumaraswamy of Janata Dal (S) is the leader of Vokkaliga community. The population of this community in the state is 12%. On the other hand, in view of the tussle between DK Shivakumar and former CM Siddaramaiah, Congress is now considering giving importance to Lingayats.

After all, on what basis the pressure is being made to leave the chair, 4 big reasons

1 Yeddyurappa has been accused of covid mismanagement and corruption. The new controversy is about allowing JSW Steel to sell 3,667 acres of land, which Yediyurappa himself was against. 4 ministers Ravindra Bellad, Yatnal, K. Poornima and Uday Garudchar have raised questions by writing letters.

2 The MLAs allege that they are not being allowed to choose contractors of their choice in development works. It is alleged that CM is releasing funds to Congress-JDS MLAs but not to BJP MLAs. Now Yediyurappa has released a fund of 1000 crores while doing damage control.

3 BJP leaders have complained to the central leadership that due to ill health of 77-year-old Yeddyurappa, his son Vijayendra and daughter Uma are running the government. Along with this, his son Vijayendra is also allegedly interfering in all the decisions of the government.

4 BJP has come to power 3 times. Yeddyurappa’s style of functioning has been questioned all three times. The central leadership wants a young leader with a clean image in his place. BJP state president Naveen Kateel is saying in the alleged leaked audio that only honest, Hindu supporters will become the new CM.