Karnataka: Lingayat mutt distances itself from demand for replacement of Prahlad Joshi in Dharwad
Murugha Mutt in Dharwad, a religious mutt of Veerashaiva-Lingayats, has distanced itself from the demands for replacement of Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi as the BJP candidate by March 31.
Fakir Dingaleshwar Swami, the head of a Lingayat mutt in Shirahatti, held a meeting with a group of community seers at Murugha mutt premises in Dharwad on Wednesday, and sought Joshi’s replacement on grounds that he suppressed the community members.
The clarification from Sri Mallikarjuna Swami, the head of Murugha Mutt, has come as a big relief for Joshi who has been winning the Lok Sabha polls in Dharwad with the solid backing of Lingayats, who are dominant in the region.
The head of Dharwad Mutt said it had nothing to do with the ‘controversial’ statement of Dingaleshwar Swami, and he would not subscribe to his political views. The mutt enjoys devotees across communities and does not involve itself with any political party or influence political decisions. The decision on selection of candidates was entirely left to the political party (BJP) concerned.
The statement may emerge as a setback to the Swami who has been rallying local seers to raise a banner of revolt against Joshi. Since the BJP has rebuked his demands for dropping Joshi, he may announce contesting as an independent candidate in Dharwad on April 2, the date on which he said they would take a call. The Congress may fish in the troubled waters to wean Lingayat votes away from Joshi, a Brahmin.
Joshi rode to political fame and helped the BJP
