Former MLA and BJP leader M P Renukacharya
Credit: DH Photo
Bengaluru: Former minister and BJP veteran B S Yediyurappa’s close aide M P Renukacharya on Thursday announced that there was no change in the plan to organise the Veerashiva-Lingayat Mahasamagama convention in Davangere.
He said the convention had nothing do with the party as it was an apolitical event to unite all sub-castes among Lingayats. Renukacharya told reporters that the convention was organised to discuss three core issues affecting the community.
“First, there are efforts by ‘bad elements’ in the community to divide Lingayats into sub-castes and emerge as leaders. Second, the government is in the process of accepting the caste census report. We need to unite, shedding sub-caste affiliations, to defeat the Congress’ efforts to legitimise the unscientific report, which is detrimental to the community.” Last, the convention would demand category ‘2A’ reservation status for the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community, he said.
“I have been asked by Yediyurappa and BJP state president B Y Vijayendra on many occasions not to organise the convention and stop going on a statewide tour to organise Lingayats. But my community problems are so big that I had to finally listen to my community’s demands,” he said.
The former CM and Vijayendra held a meeting with him in this regard on Wednesday.
Renukacharya said the rally had nothing to do with Yediyurappa or Vijayendra.
“All leaders from the community will attend this convention. Bijapur city MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, who belongs to the community, is also invited,” he said.