Vokkaliga Seer Urges CM Siddaramaiah to Step Down

Bengaluru: A prominent Vokkaliga community seer Chandrashekaranatha Swamiji on Thursday made an appeal to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to relinquish the post of Chief Minister and make way for Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, a Vokkaliga, to ascend the post of Chief Minister.

The seer made the appeal to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at a function held to celebrate 515th jayanthi of Kempegowda, the founder of Bengaluru city organised by the State Government in Bengaluru city attended by Siddaramaiah, D.K. Shivakumar among other seers of Vokkaliga community. Vokkaligas are a politically dominant community in Karnataka.

Addressing the gathering, Chandrashekaranatha Swamiji, pontiff of Vishwa Vokkaligara Mahasamsthana (a Mutt), stated “It will be smooth affair (for Shivakumar) only if Siddaramaiah makes up his mind to sacrifice the seat” and said “It’s make a fervent appeal (to Siddaramaiah) to make Shivakumar as Chief Minister.” The appeal by seer was cheered by the gathering with a round of applause.

The seer said Siddaramaiah (from Kuruba community) served as Chief Minister (twice) and stated “Only Shivakumar (from Vokkaliga community) has not become Chief Minister. Siddaramaiah should sacrifice his seat for Shivakumar.” “Before I conclude my speech, I once again appeal to Siddaramaiah to make way for Shivakumar to occupy the post of Chief Minister,” said the seer.

Later after coming out of the function, Chandrashekaranatha Swamiji told reporters “It’s better if Siddaramaiah relinquishes the post rather than both the leaders engage in a tussle."

“It is better if Siddaramaiah steps down immediately,” said the seer and reason he cited to support Shivakumar was that he as the president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) strived hard for the success of the Congress party to help the party win in 135 seats in assembly elections in 2023 and return to power in Karnataka.

Reacting to the seer’s appeal, after the function, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters “Congress party is a high command party. We will abide by the decision of the high command.” Shivakumar, wearing a smile, refrained from commenting on the appeal made by the seer to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

A veteran Congress leader and former minister Shymanur Shivashankarappa stated “High command will make its decision” and felt that mere statements by leaders will have no impact on the decision making of the high command.

Bharatiya Janata Party MLA and Leader of Opposition in Assembly R. Ashok, belonging to Vokkaliga community, reacted “It is a counter strategy (by Shivakumar) to that of the strategy adopted by Siddaramaiah.”

The Leader of Opposition asked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to resign and termed the appeal by the seer asking Siddaramaiah to step down “Is an insult (to Siddaramaiah).”