Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah has furthered his preparations for upcoming Karnataka elections by visiting the state for two days and scheduling various meetings with religious seers of Lingayat, Dalit and Scheduled Tribe communities.
Shah began his visit today by meeting Shivakumara Swami, who heads the Siddhaganga Mutt in central Karnataka’s Tumakuru district and commands immense religious following from members of the Lingayat community, which happens to be one of the state’s largest religious groups.
This was seen by an outreach effort by Amit Shah to convince Lingayats to continue supporting BJP, as they have always been doing, and not switch allegiance to the Congress, whose government recently granted minority religion status to the community.
Political observers said this move by CM Siddaramaiah was an effort to break into BJP’s vote bank and it has also worked to an extent because the decision was welcomed by large sections of Lingayats. The community’s votes are crucial because it makes up over 15% of Karnataka’s total population.
Amit Shah will also go to Madara Chennaiah Mutt, which is said to be closely associated with Dalits. Bekkinkal, Sirgere and Muruga Mutts are also on his itinerary in central Karnataka, along with a road show followed by meetings with farmers, traders and party officials.