The controversy over successor to Sri Shivapuri Swamiji of Omkarashrama, which has property worth crores of rupees, began soon after the death of the seer on July 25 as he had not named anybody to succeed him.
The controversy reached feverish pitch as Madhusudhanandapuri Swamiji and Purushottamanadapuri Swamiji of Bhageeratha Peetha in Hosadurga claimed themselves as true successors. Both of them claimed that they had wills executed by the late seer. 

Madhusudhanandapuri Swamiji took over as head of the ashrama on August 9 under the police protection. But  leaders of Uppar community, to which the late Swamiji belonged to, launched a fight against what they described as “usurption” of their Ashrama by “an outsider” belonging to the “Brahmin” community (Sri Madhusudhanandapuri Swamiji).

The leaders, who claim to have the “second and final will” of the late Swamiji, demanded that Purushottamanadapuri Swamiji should be installed as the head of the ashrama.

The controversy took a different dimension with the entry of some politicians. Though both the seers claim that they possess the will, they had not moved the courts.