Lingayat issue backfired Congress: Karnataka Min DK Shivakumar

 

Addressing the religious gathering here, the Congress strongman said that political outfit should not interfere in religious matters. Terming Siddaramaiah government’s Lingayat move as a political blunder, Shivakumar asserted that religion should not be used for electoral gains.

Without naming former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Irrigation Minister claimed that opinions and concerns expressed by ministers and senior leaders were not taken into the consideration which ultimately ruined the prospects of Congress party. On this occasion, the Minister also sought an apology from the religious body.

In a bid to lure the dominant Lingayat sect, Siddaramaiah accorded special status to the Lingayat community. In Karnataka assembly polls earlier this year, Congress party had to face the wrath of the people in Lingayat dominated region.