Nothing Wrong in Lingayat Swamijis Supporting Yeddy, says Renukacharya
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Nov 23: ''What is wrong in swamijis of Lingayat Mutts supporting chief minister B S Yeddyurappa?" asked state excise minister M P Renukacharya.
The excise minister, who hit media limelight following his involvement with nurse Jayalakshmi as an MLA and had cast his lot with the dissident struggle against the chief minister by Bellary Reddy brothers and later changed his loyalty to Yeddyurappa after being elevated as a cabinet minister, felt the Lingayat or Veerashaiva community had every right to lend their support to Yeddyurappa as he is a prominent leader belonging to it.
There was nothing wrong in Lingayat Mutt swamijis supporting the continuance of Yeddyurappa as the chief minister since he had granted money to several Maths during the last 30 months, he said pointing out that the pontiffs represented the devotees belonging to the community and were expected to voice the sentiments of the faithful.
''I also belong to the Lingayat community. Why should I feel shy or hesitate to own my community," he said arguing that merely because of his affirming his Lingayat community affiliation did not make him a casteist.
Renukacharya said: ''I have been elected by people belonging to all communities in my Honnali constituency. Even though I belong to the Lingayat community, it does not make me a minister of or for Lingayats alone. I have never been casteist or communal in my approach."
It may be recalled that Renukacharya had led the recent revolt by 20 dissidents, including disgruntled BJP MLAs and the Independents, and had switched his loyalty to the chief minister at the last minute. In fact, he was part of the dissidents who had abstained from the first floor test sought by Yeddyurappa in the state assembly.
Renukacharya lashed out at former chief minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy for releasing what he termed as "fake documents" against Yeddyurappa.
He alleged that JD(S) and Congress leaders have struck an "unholy alliance" to destabilise the government.
The JD(S), which has been attacking the BJP government in the state, had remained a silent spectator in parliament over 2G spectrum issue, the excise minister said.