Hubballi: From seers to peers of the political class- that's a transition many religious leaders in Karnataka are looking to achieve, ahead of the 2018 Assembly polls and 2019 parliamentary elections. Not that the seers have been politically inactive. They have never shied away from taking a stance on issues concerning the community at large or joining ecological movements. But they no longer appear to be content with remaining on the sidelines.
Inspired by the BJP's decision to make Yogi Adityanath, Mahant of Gorakhnath Math in Gorakhpur, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, several are now preparing to take the plunge into active politics and contest the 2018 Assembly polls. And they are hoping the BJP will fulfill their stirring political ambitions. Many have already approached it for a ticket to contest the coming elections, while others are preparing to take the independent route, if thwarted.
Talk of the BJP giving a ticket to Madara Chennayya Swamiji from the reserved constituency of Chitradurga for the next Lok Sabha elections, has only fanned their ambitions further. Basavanand Swamiji of Sri Guru Basava Mahamane in Managundi village of Dharwad taluk has also launched a poll campaign after writing to BJP national president, Amit Shah seeking a ticket for the election. Although visually impaired, he dreams of transforming the political system and has begun sounding out local leaders, who are against Labour Minister, Santosh Lad, for their help in taking on him in the Kalghatagi Assembly constituency.
In addition, Ramaruda Swamiji of Bagalkot has meanwhile, written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a ticket from the Bilagi constituency. "Bilagi has not seen much development. I have appealed to BJP leaders to stop encouraging family politics here and give me a ticket instead. Moreover, around 50 per cent of the people in the constituency are devotees of my mutt. I will contest as an independent e if I don't get a BJP ticket," the seer asserts. Pranavanand Swamiji of Sharanabasaveshwar Mutt in Aremallur village of Haveri district, too is also keen on contesting. Known for his hardcore Hindutva views, the seer has also launched a signature campaign to persuade the BJP leadership to give Sriram Sene leader, Pramod Mutalik a ticket in the polls.
