Karnataka Congress MLA bats for re-election of BJP veteran Yediyurappa's son

Karnataka Congress MLA bats for re-election of BJP veteran Yediyurappa’s son

In a major embarrassment for the Congress, senior Karnataka MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa asked people to re-elect BJP MP BY Raghavendra, son of former chief minister Yediyurappa, from Shivamogga constituency.

Shivashankarappa, a Lingayat leader, called BY Raghavendra a “big leader” and a “good human” while praising the work done by him in Shivamogga.

“You are all blessed to have Raghavendra as your MP. He does all the constituency work even if it’s difficult. You all have chosen him as MP. Elections are due in two months, Raghvendra will again contest from BJP. My blessings will be with him. I know his father too. People should remember what work he has done and make him win again. It’s the duty of the people,” the MLA from Davangere said.

Reacting to the Congress MLA’s remarks, Raghavendra called it “one of the most auspicious days of my political life”.

“I feel like I am in my 100th year as the senior Mutsaddhi leader and National President of All India Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha Shamanur Sivashankarappa spoke appreciating my development work. I am determined to keep the promise he has placed on me by working further for the comprehensive progress of the Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency,” he said.

The development comes days after Shivashankarappa alleged that Lingayats were being sidelined in government offices.

“Lingayats are sidelined during selection of top officials at government offices…Veerashaiva Lingayats have been sidelined in officers’ posts. They say they have given ministerial positions to seven Lingayats, but there are 74 members in number,” Shivashankarappa had said in September 2023.

The veteran Congress leader said Lingayats had suffered “injustice” and warned the government. “The Lingayat population is the highest in percentage. We can even form a government by joining hands with others,” he had said.

On Thursday, senior Karnataka leader Jagadish Shettar, who joined the Congress last year before the Karnataka Assembly election, returned to the BJP.

Shettar, who belongs to the Lingayat community, had ditched the BJP after he was denied a ticket.

“The party gave me a lot of responsibilities in the past. Due to some issues, I went to the Congress party. In the last eight to nine months, there were a lot of discussions. BJP workers asked me to come back to the BJP,” the six-time MLA had said.

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