Pontiff Is A Wise Man, Won't Get Involved In Politics: DK Shivakumar On NDA Candidates Batting For Vokkaliga Support

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar emphasized the Congress's unity in the state as its primary victory and contrasted it with the alleged division present in BJP.

Hours after NDA leaders met the spiritual centre of Vokkaligas, Adichunchanagiri Mutt in Karnataka, ahead of Lok Sabha Elections, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress chief DK Shivakumar said that the pontiff would not get involved in politics. 

Hailing from Vokkaliga community which assets major influence in election results in South Karnataka region, DK Shivakumar said, "The seer knows that the Congress government is there in the state and the Union government is at the Centre.”

“It is clear what they have done and what we are doing. I am sure he will not be involved in any politics. It is also a known fact that the JD(S) supremo (Deve Gowda) divided the Vokkaliga mutt earlier,” Dy CM Shivakumar stated, as per a report on IANS.

Earlier, former Prime Minister Deve Gowda is alleged to have supported the establishment of another mutt in parallel to the Adichunchanagiri Mutt.

Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar emphasized the Congress's unity in Karnataka as its primary victory and contrasted it with the division in BJP. He criticised the BJP of changing 15 faces in the Lok Sabha elections and alleged that they have faded from the minds of the people.

Shivakumar also pointed out the irony of former Chief Minister Kumaraswamy, a Vokkaliga leader, being removed from his position by BS Yediyurappa. He also said that Kumaraswamy now accompanied them to the seer. He questioned the BJP's credibility in forming a government after four years, given their actions. Shivakumar expressed skepticism about the BJP's political maneuvers and urged voters not to be swayed by their strategies.

BJP-JD(S) Leaders Visit Sri Adichunchanagiri Mutt

On Wednesday, BJP and JD(S) leaders met and sought the blessings of Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji at Sri Adichunchanagiri Mutt in Vijayanagara. In the meet, several leaders from both the parties including opposition leader (LoP) R Ashok, Former Karnataka CM and Mandya Lok Sabha candidate HD Kumaraswamy, Former CM DV Sadananda Gowda, Former DCM Dr CN Aswath Narayan, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, CT Ravi and former Minister GT Deve Gowda were present.

On meeting Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji at Sri Adichunchanagiri Mutt in Vijayanagara, BJP sitting MP and candidate from Bengaluru South Lok Sabha seat, Tejasvi Surya said, "Our culture is to take the blessings of Swamijis, visit temples on the very first day of the New Year. Today, all candidates of the NDA alliance took the blessings of Adichunchanagiri. The coming 15 days is a very crucial period for our campaign. All across the state, the energy, and enthusiasm is very positive towards the BJP."

"The popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is increasing every day as the polling date is approaching. I am very confident that the BJP and NDA alliance will win on all 28 seats in Karnataka and in the rest of South India as well," he said.