Bengaluru: Demand for separate Lingayat religion has further widened the difference of opinion among the state Congress leaders.
Major irrigation minister M B Patil who is spearheading the movement for separate Lingayat religion on Sunday claimed that Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga mutt, tallest leader of Lingayats in the state has given approval for the separate religion. He stated that pontiff extended his support for Lingayat religion sans Veerashaivas.
But another minister Eshwara Khandre, lingayat leader from Bidar urged M B Patil to not divide the Veerashaivas and the Lingayats. Khandre slammed M B Patil for his efforts to separate Lingayats from Veerashaivas. “It is unfortunate that leaders who can’t unite Veerashaivas and Lingayats are talking about unity in the society,” he said.
Meanwhile, JDS leader, MLC Basavaraja Horatti slammed both Congress leaders who are agitating for separate religions and their opponents. “Pontiffs, leaders are giving separate statements every day. There is no clarity. First leaders must sit together and stick to a decision,” he urged.
