The Aryavarth Express
Agency(karnataka): On Wednesday, D K Shivakumar, the President of the Karnataka Congress, suggested that the party might support a well-known seer running against Union Minister Pralhad Joshi in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Dharwad. The Deputy Chief Minister of the state indicated that the party is contemplating this strategy.
Fakira Dingaleshwar Swami, from Shirahatti Fakkireshwar Math, has openly criticized Joshi, accusing him of undermining the Veerashaiva-Lingayat and other communities to maintain his political position. The seer, who intends to contest as an independent, has also criticized the Congress for its treatment of the Lingayat community, claiming they have been overlooked in political appointments under Congress governance.
Although the Congress has already chosen Vinod Asooti, a member of the Youth Congress, as its candidate for Dharwad, Shivakumar mentioned that nothing is set in stone regarding potential support for the seer. “If we decide to support him, we will do so openly,” Shivakumar stated. He added that he plans to discuss this matter with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah shortly.
Shivakumar emphasized the respect the party holds for the seer, acknowledging his secular efforts and described their own candidate as a respectable individual. The decision on whether to extend support to the seer will likely be finalized after these discussions.