Hubballi: A day after the Vokkaliga seer of Spatikapuri Mahasamsthana Mutt, Nanjavadhutha Swamiji warned of a backlash from the community if any attempt was made to pull down the coalition government, Kuruba seer, Niranjanananda Puri Swamiji of Kanaka Gurupeetha of Kaginele came out in open support of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who has kicked up a row over the presentation of a fresh budget.
Launching an attack on Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, the seer alleged that Kuruba officials were being tortured by the state government as an act of revenge against Mr Siddaramaiah and claimed that he had received many complaints from top officials from the community that they were being transferred without postings.
Speaking to reporters in Davangere on Thursday, the swamiji said the Kurubas would launch a protest across the state if these officials continued to be targeted. He also warned AICC president, Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka Congress in-charge, K C Venugopal of dire consequences in the Lok Sabha elections if they sidelined Mr Siddaramaiah. Maintaining that the former Chief Minister's silence should not be construed as acceptance of defeat after the Congress’ poor show in the Assembly elections, he said, “Siddaramaiah is like a ram, which has taken one step back, but will bounce back against any opponent if injustice is done to Kurubas.”
The seer regretted that Kurubas had not received proper representation in the government although it had helped the Congress win 80 Assembly seats in the elections.
“Chief Minister Kumaraswamy does not belong only to the Vokkaligas. He should treat all castes equally. The coalition government has a good future if it pursues politics of harmony among all castes. Otherwise, it will have to face the Kurubas’ anger,” he added.
