Politics of Yoga: Modi to visit Mutts during K’taka trip

Muralidhara Khajane
Bengaluru

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Karnataka is all set to encash Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day scheduled State visit on June 20 and 21. Party leaders are planning to make the best use of this opportunity to alleviate the concerns of ‘discontented’ communities.

According to party sources, Modi and national president JP Nadda will visit Mutts and interact with head seers. “This exercise is aimed at the upcoming local body and Assembly elections apart from creating a wave in favour of the party,” said a senior leader.

Mysuru-based leaders are planning to take the PM to Suttur Mutt, while Vokkaliga leaders are keen on a visit to Aadichunchanagiri Mutt. Nadda may visit Murugha Mutt of Chitradurga during his visit to the fort town to participate in a convention.

Vokkaliga leaders feel that Modi’s visit to Aadichunchanagiri Mutt will help the party capture the community’s belt in Karnataka, especially the bastion of state Congress president D K Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh, who represents Bengaluru Rural in Parliament.

The State government has constituted as many as 14 committees, including a core committee headed by S.T. Somashekar - the District-in-charge Minister of Mysuru for the smooth and successful conduct of the International Yoga Day celebrations in which Modi will take part.

The International Yoga Day celebrations will be held at 75 prominent heritage spots in the country, including Mysuru, Halebeedu, Hampi, Pattadkal and Vijayapura (Golgumbaz). While Modi would inaugurate the event in Mysuru, Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Shobha Karandlaje would participate in the event at Halebeedu in Hassan district.