The shadow-boxing between Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and his predecessor, Siddaramaiah, over various issues in the coalition government has acquired a caste colour, with the seers of the communities to which the two leaders belong to — Vokkaliga and Kuruba — taking sides.
A day after Vokkaliga seers warned against any effort to destabilise the Kumaraswamy-led government, the religious head of the Kuruba community warned the Congress against “neglecting” Mr. Siddaramaiah. He also warned Mr. Kumaraswamy against “injustice” to the community in general.
Addressing reporters at the Kanaka Peetha at Belloodi in Harihar taluk of Davangere district, seer of the Kanaka Guru Peetha at Kaginele Niranjanandapuri Swami alleged that officials belonging to the Kuruba community were being transferred indiscriminately by the new coalition government. He warned of “adverse impact” if it was not rectified.
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He gave a call to the community members to get ready for an agitation if the situation demanded.
Taking a dig at Mr. Kumaraswamy, the seer said he was “not a Chief Minister of only Vokkaliga community” but of the entire State. On complaints of caste politics, the seer said if one looked at the composition of the present State Cabinet and that of the Siddaramaiah government, it would be clear as to who was indulging in caste politics.
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Sri Niranjanandapuri Swami also warned AICC president Rahul Gandhi, saying that if the party continued to “neglect” Mr. Siddaramaiah, then they would have to face the impact of it in the Lok Sabha elections. He said if Mr. Siddaramaiah was neglected, then it would be difficult for the Congress to get even 15 seats in Karnataka.
He also pointed out that no Kuruba community leader from the Congress had been given representation in the State Cabinet and the community “would not tolerate further injustice”.