Yatnal warns against Veerashaiva body's pro-Yeddyurappa stand

He told a press conference on Monday that the convention should not send a wrong message to the people of the community by supporting a ‘corrupt CM’.

The Veerashaiva meet should discuss the status of the community and the future strategies for the progress and development of Lingayats, instead of praising Yeddyurappa, he said.

“The Veerashaiva mutts and institutions have reached the pinnacle in the field of education and other fields, not because of the BJP or the incumbent government. Several contributions have been made in the past by Veerashaiva leaders,” he said.

Yeddyurappa was no match to leaders like Nijalingappa, Veerendra Patil and J H Patel, Yatnal said.

“Yeddyurappa hijacked the conference in his favour. It appears as if the Veerashaiva Mahasabha has been bribed to support him,” Yatnal said.

He would float an alternative forum against Yeddyurappa if the Mahasabha supported him, Yatnal added.

Earlier, speaking at a session of institutions at Suttur, he said the meet should not be held for the protection of a person. “The conference must not become a political party’s agenda.

The next conference must be held under the leadership of a seer elected as chairman. Otherwise, muscle and money power will hijack such programmes,” he said.

He alleged biased treatment by the the organisers of Lingayat leaders from JD(S) and Congress.