The issue of giving minority religion status to Lingayat, which is expected to play an important role in deciding the fortunes of political parties, has begun to gain prominence in the issue of allotment of Congress tickets too. It is gathered that people falling under Lingayat community have demanded tickets in 40 constituencies for their candidates, while Veerashaiva sect has been pitching for 20 tickets. These demands have put chief minister, Siddaramaiah, in a bind and the Congress high command, which was expecting to encash this issue to its advantage, too is facing predicament on this matter, it is learnt.
The chief minister, who was expecting to win over the loyalty of Lingayat community by recommending to give religious minority status to them by ignoring Veerashaivas, finds himself mired in new problems on account of the above demand.
Lingayats have been pointing out that they have the potential to influence the results in 110 assembly constituencies in the state. Therefore, they say their demand for 40 seats is just. As per information, Lingayat Mahasabha and Veerashaiva leaders have been exerting pressure to consider fielding of their candidates in various constituencies in north Karnataka, central Karnataka, and Old Mysore area. Lingayats have also demanded tickets in four constituencies in the city, and Virajpete constituency in Kodagu district, it is said. Veerashaiva community also believes that it has clout in at least 20 constituencies and hence wants to field its own members in these constituencies.
In 2013 election, Congress had fielded 44 Lingayat candidates, out of which 29 had come out victorious. The current perception that Lingayat community will be supporting Congress this time with added vigour as the Congress government has recommended their case for minority religion tag, has provided thrust to the community’s demand. The members of this community have been arguing that issuing tickets to Lingayats will brighten chances of Congress candidates.
General Secretary of Lingayat Mahasabha, J B Patil, said that the community members have urged the chief minister to allot more seats to members from their community. He said that it has been decided to give priority to even backward classes within the community when choosing candidates.
