Hubbali: This hub of Lingayat politics is set to witness the second last mega convention of prominent Lingayat leaders, seers and ministers demanding separate religion status for members of the community on Sunday.Tomorrow’s event assumes significance in the light of heightened war of words between Lingayat seers and ministers on one hand and All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha president Shamanur Shivashankarappa on the other. Lingayat leaders, however, dropped the proposed constitution of a research committee in line with a decision taken by leaders of both the warring factions last month. The leaders announced that they would draw up the future course of action at the last rally to be held in Bengaluru on December 10. On the eve of tomorrow’s rally, ministers M B Patil and Vinay Kulkarni and JD(S) leader Basavaraj Horatti supervised arrangements at Nehru stadium. The trio claimed that more than five lakh people from various parts of the state are expected to converge at the venue. They have addressed preparatory meetings in all districts and taluks and distributed pamphlets to mobilize all seers from the region. Mammoth cut-outs, banners and buntings have been erected in the main streets. Local police officers have already streamlined traffic movement in view of the rally.
"There is no need to initiate any talks with leaders of Veerashaiva Mahasabha as it is a waste of time. It’s impossible to have separate dialogue with Veerashaivas as we consider them as only one of the 99 sub-castes within the Lingayat community which is main engine of the train. We have already submitted five applications to the Chief Minister to recommend for separate religion status to the Centre. We will only exert pressure on him through the rally and we are confident of victory even in the Supreme Court as we have all historical records to support our demand for minority tag", Mr Patil said. Ruling out the possibility of forming separate Linagayat Mahasabha in the rally, they said that such moves would be made depending on the circumstances.
