<p>Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Tuesday ordered the creation of a ‘Karnataka Veerashaiva-Lingayat Development Board’ after legislators belonging to this dominant community mounted pressure on him. </p>.<p>The Veerashaiva-Lingayat community is estimated to form about 16% of the state’s population and is considered to be the BJP’s core support base. Yediyurappa belongs to this community. </p>.<p>Yediyurappa’s decision comes just days after he ordered the formation of the ‘Maratha Development Authority’, a move that had the upcoming bypoll to the Basavakalyan assembly constituency in mind. The Marathas are said to be large in number there. </p>.<p>While Yediyurappa allocated Rs 50 crore for the Maratha authority, there is no mention of how much money will be set aside for the Veerashaiva-Lingayat Development Board. </p>.<p>“Veerashaiva-Lingayats form a large community in the state, many of whom are economically, socially and educationally backward," Yediyurappa said in a note to Chief Secretary TM Vijay Bhaskar. The Board, which will work for the overall development of the community, will come into existence with immediate effect, the CM said. </p>.<p>Several Lingayat BJP legislators, including Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi, Housing Minister V Somanna and Agriculture Minister BC Patil, raised the issue with Yediyurappa after he created an authority for Marathas. </p>.<p>Former ministers MB Patil (Congress) and Basavaraj Horatti (JDS), both Lingayats, also raised the issue. In fact, Patil has demanded 16% reservation for the Lingayats on the lines of what Maharashtra has done for Marathas. “Instead, creation of a body by giving Rs 100-200 crore will just be an eyewash,” he said. </p>
<p>Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Tuesday ordered the creation of a ‘Karnataka Veerashaiva-Lingayat Development Board’ after legislators belonging to this dominant community mounted pressure on him. </p>.<p>The Veerashaiva-Lingayat community is estimated to form about 16% of the state’s population and is considered to be the BJP’s core support base. Yediyurappa belongs to this community. </p>.<p>Yediyurappa’s decision comes just days after he ordered the formation of the ‘Maratha Development Authority’, a move that had the upcoming bypoll to the Basavakalyan assembly constituency in mind. The Marathas are said to be large in number there. </p>.<p>While Yediyurappa allocated Rs 50 crore for the Maratha authority, there is no mention of how much money will be set aside for the Veerashaiva-Lingayat Development Board. </p>.<p>“Veerashaiva-Lingayats form a large community in the state, many of whom are economically, socially and educationally backward," Yediyurappa said in a note to Chief Secretary TM Vijay Bhaskar. The Board, which will work for the overall development of the community, will come into existence with immediate effect, the CM said. </p>.<p>Several Lingayat BJP legislators, including Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi, Housing Minister V Somanna and Agriculture Minister BC Patil, raised the issue with Yediyurappa after he created an authority for Marathas. </p>.<p>Former ministers MB Patil (Congress) and Basavaraj Horatti (JDS), both Lingayats, also raised the issue. In fact, Patil has demanded 16% reservation for the Lingayats on the lines of what Maharashtra has done for Marathas. “Instead, creation of a body by giving Rs 100-200 crore will just be an eyewash,” he said. </p>
