Leadership issue in Karnataka: Community factor comes to the fore

In a clear indication that the BJP high command would have to deal with the community factor if it wanted to dislodge Lingayat leader and Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, on Monday, amid speculation o

In a clear indication that the BJP high command would have to deal with the community factor if it wanted to dislodge Lingayat leader and Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, on Monday, amid speculation of leadership change in the State, the Veerashaiva Mahasabha and heads of Lingayat mutts opposed any moves to replace the Chief Minister. President of the prominent community body All-India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, Shamanur Shivashankarappa, threw the weight of the Mahasabha behind the Chief Minister. Senior Congress leader from the community, M.B. Patil, also warned the BJP of the community’s wrath if Mr Yediyurappa were to be removed.