BJP MLC accuses RSS of curbing Lingayat and Vokkaliga leadership

A file photograph of former Minister and MLC A.H. Vishwanath who claims that the RSS desires to ‘finish’ the leadership of Lingayats and Vokkaligas.
| Photo Credit: M A Sriram

BJP MLC A.H. Vishwanath accused the RSS of pursuing a ‘hidden agenda’ of curbing the Lingayat and Vokkaliga leadership by fielding rising leaders within the two communities – V. Somanna and R. Ashok – towards established Congress leaders in Varuna and Kanakapura Assembly segments for the Karnataka elections, scheduled on May 10.

Addressing a media convention in Mysuru and April 15, Mr Vishwanath stated the RSS desires solely MLAs from Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities, however not leaders. The RSS desires to ‘finish’ the leadership of Lingayats and Vokkaligas by fielding V Somanna in Varuna towards former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and R. Ashok in Kanakapura towards Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president D.Ok. Shivakumar.

Mr Vishwanath, who has served as a Minister in Congress governments, claimed that the BJP had fielded Mr Somanna towards Mr Siddaramaiah although the Lingayats of Varuna and the seer of the Suttur mutt had been blessing Mr Siddaramaiah for a very long time. Similarly, Mr Ashok has been pitted towards Mr Shivakumar in Kanakapura, the place the latter enjoys appreciable affect.

He accused the BJP of making an attempt to pit one group towards one other, and destroying the concord in society by fielding Mr Somanna and Mr Ashok in two constituencies every.

“Even BJP MP V. Srinivas Prasad had rightly asked Mr Somanna what was the need for him to contest from two constituencies,” Mr Vishwanath claimed. But, Mr Somanna didn’t have the choice to reject the choice of the BJP excessive command to appoint him from Varuna, he added.

He urged the BJP authorities in Karnataka to withdraw its resolution to scrap the 4% reservation for Muslims, which has been termed as ‘flawed’ by the Supreme Court.

Referring to the Supreme Court’s observations within the case, Mr Vishwanath stated the BJP is deceptive individuals by claiming {that a} comparable reservation for Muslims in Andhra Pradesh had been struck down by the apex courtroom.

He claimed that the choice of the Andhra Pradesh authorities, led by the then Chief Minister Y.S. Rajashekar Reddy, to increase reservation to minorities was struck down by the Supreme Court just because there was no foundation or research for the choice. “It was just a Cabinet decision. So, it was struck down,” he stated, including {that a} comparable destiny awaits the choice taken by the BJP authorities in Karnataka.

He urged the State Government to withdraw the announcement of inner reservation for Scheduled Castes. The resolution has been taken solely with a watch on the Assembly elections, scheduled on May 10, he claimed.