We engineered BJP loss in Hangal: Seer

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Bengaluru: In February 2021, Sri Jayamurthyunajaya Swami brought traffic to a standstill in the heart of Bengaluru, as he led a march by tens of thousands of Panchamsaalis, mainly from north Karnataka, into the city.

The spiritual leader of the sect had walked for hundreds of miles, rallying the Panchamsaali community – a sub sect of the powerful Lingayat community which backs fellow Lingayat B. S. Yediyurappa - as they pushed for reservations for a Backward Classes category, called 2A that would give them reservations in education and jobs. The only other Backward Class community that is entitled to reservations are the Edigas, Kumbaras and the Kurubas.

B.S.Yediyurappa, who was chief minister then, had little choice but to agree to fulfil their demands. He asked the seer for three months time. But with him stepping down from office three months ago, the Panchamsaalis realised they had been blindsided and taken for a ride. The embarrassing loss of the Hangal seat in the recently held bypolls in a seat dominated by Lingayats is therefore no accident.

In a stinging interview to News Trail, the miffed Panchamsaali community pontiff reveals how he instructed his community to teach the BJP a lesson and switch their loyalty to the Congress.