Riding on a wave of victory in four of the five state assemblies, the BJP’s central leadership has now turned its attention to Karnataka, which is expected to go to polls in 2023. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is visiting the southern state. This is being seen as an initial step by the top party officials towards preparing the election road map for the state unit.
On 1 April, Shah, the master strategist of the BJP, will attend the 115th birth anniversary of the late Param Pujya Shri Shivakumara Swamy at Siddaganga Math.
Siddaganga Math is a prominent and influential Lingayat religious institution, to which leaders of political parties visit especially during election season to favor the Lingayat community. Lingayats constitute about 16-17% of Karnataka’s population and are a politically powerful class.
Former chief minister BS Yediyurappa has strong support from the mutt, which stood by the leader last year amid speculation of a change in leadership. Lingayat Math chiefs appealed to the BJP to allow Yeddyurappa to complete his term.
BJP’s state vice-president and Yediyurappa’s son, BY Vijayendra, is in charge of the arrangements ahead of Shah’s visit to the mutt – seen as an attempt by the former CM, the BJP’s central leadership on his stature as one of the most influential. was seen as an attempt to send the message. Leader of the Lingayat community.
To reach out to Lingayats, Shah had sought Shivakumara Swamy’s blessings ahead of the 2018 assembly elections.
Interestingly, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will also visit the same Tumakuru mutt a day before Shah to pay homage at the samadhi of Sri Shivakumara Swamy.
Confirming Gandhi’s visit, Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar explained how the Gandhi family is closely associated with Siddaganga and the Congress inspired the Math’s mid-day meal tradition to start the scheme for school children in Karnataka. Took.
On the same day, Shah will also visit Muddanahalli in Chikkaballapur district to attend the foundation stone laying ceremony of the new medical college. Being the country’s first Union Minister for Cooperation, Shah will participate in the Sahakar Sammelan (Cooperative Conference) at the Palace Ground, where he will release the logo of the state government’s proposed ‘Nandini Ksheera Abhiridhi Bank’ and re-launch ‘Yashaswini’. do. Project.
A senior BJP leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, told News18 that Shah’s visit would be important as the state leadership would be given a clear roadmap for the upcoming assembly elections.
“Karnataka has been a gateway for the BJP in the south. Our government is in power and planning has already started to ensure that BJP wins maximum seats and forms the government as the single largest party again. The recent victories in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur are quite encouraging. Shah ji’s visit will give us a clear roadmap,” the leader said.
Shah has his work cut short due to attending the Karnataka BJP core committee meeting later that day. Internal turmoil within the BJP has been a matter of concern for the central leadership. On the one hand, BJP state and central leaders will have to ensure that their Lingayat leaders remain united and the community’s voter base remains intact. The BJP, on the other hand, continues its efforts to woo other communities such as the Vokkaligas, which constitute 15-16% of Karnataka’s vote bank, and are traditionally seen voting in favor of the Janata Dal (Secular). Congress.
The Karnataka BJP is seen battling allegations of polarization as it finds itself embroiled in several controversies such as the ban on hijab in classrooms, calls by BJP leaders to ban Halal meat, the Anti-Conversion Bill.
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