Lingayat religion issue: Shamanuru Shivashankarappa says he won't join BJP

Akhila Bharatiya Veerashaiva Mahasabha president and Congress MLA Shamanuru Shivashankarappa on Wednesday said that he won't join BJP. He also invited BJP workers who have not been to jail to join Congress party.

"I will not join BJP. If there is anybody in BJP who has not been to jail, let them come join Congress," said Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.

Speaking at a media conference at his Davanagere home office Shivashankarappa on Wednesday, dismissed his joining the BJP, as a rumour.

"The news that my son (S S Mallikarjuna) and I are joining the BJP is false. Let people talk whatever the want," he reacted intensely.

"I am not facing any pressure from anyone. People don't approach old men like me anymore," he quipped.

He informed the press that a meeting has been called to discuss the state government's decision on separate status for Lingayats, in Bengaluru, on March 23.

He had termed the state government's decision as the height of injustice.