New Delhi (India), April 23, 2023: Former Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, has stirred controversy with his recent comment about the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Lingayat push for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state. When asked about the BJP’s stance that a Lingayat should be the next Chief Minister, the Congress veteran allegedly said, “There’s already a Lingayat Chief Minister (BS Bommai). He’s the root of all the corruption in the state.”
The BJP promptly responded, accusing Siddaramaiah of insulting the entire Lingayat community. Chief Minister BS Bommai, who belongs to the Lingayat community, accused Siddaramaiah of ridiculing the community. However, Siddaramaiah clarified that his comment was only directed at the Chief Minister and not the entire community.
Former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, who recently joined Congress, also commented on the issue, stating that many Lingayat leaders have left the BJP and that the party’s Lingayat pitch would not work in their favor.
Siddaramaiah filed his nomination from the Varuna constituency for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly polls and has indicated that this would be his last election. He has virtually laid out a “succession plan” of sorts, with his son and grandson as his political successors.
The last day for filing nominations is April 20, and voting will take place on May 10, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 13.
