Lingayat Maths attract political attention ahead of 10 May slugfest

Shri Siddaroodha Swami Math and Moorusavir Math, the two top Lingayat shrines in Karnataka, are yet again the centre of attention for key political players vying for power in the poll-bound state.
Even as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and their rivals, the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) (JDS), are making contrasting claims on development and raking up other issues that have become major talking points ahead of the 10 May poll battle, it’s the politically significant Lingayat community that remains central to their plans in the ongoing campaign trail. While figuring out the caste arithmetic is seen as the key to reaching the hustings in this southern state, the Lingayat seers and their blessings also go a long way in swaying the eventual electoral outcome in Karnataka.
While the Lingayats have traditionally leant towards the saffron camp, the rivals are also leaving no stone unturned to woo the seers and votes ahead of the 10 May polls.
In a clear hint that the saffron party is yet again falling back on its traditional Lingayat vote bank as it bids to return to power, BJP leader Mahesh Tenginkai paid a visit to Shri Siddaroodha Swami Math before filing his nomination papers.
However, the two Lingayat maths in North Karnataka, which were instrumental in bringing the BJP to power in 2018, might not ensure smooth sailing for the saffron camp this time as several top BJP leaders, including former chief minister Jagdish Shettar, former deputy CM Laxman Savadi, Nehru Olekar, and NY Gopalakrishna, all top Lingayat leaders in their own right, switched over to the Congress after being denied tickets to contest the May 10 polls.
North Karnataka comprises Kittur Karnataka (Mumbai Karnataka) and Kalyana Karnataka (Hyderabad Karnataka) regions, further accounting for 13 districts and 90 Assembly seats.
Currently, the BJP holds 52 seats in these regions, which are considered Lingayat strongholds, while the Congress has 32 and the JDS has 6.
However, with several Lingayat heavyweights departing the saffron camp and joining the Congress, the battle to retain these saffron strongholds has gotten decidedly tougher for the BJP.
Going back 100 years, Shri Siddaroodha Swami Mutt was built to honour the memory of Shri Siddharoodha Swamy, who took up ‘Samadhi’ in 1929.
In 1919, this Math was visited by Lokamanya Gangadhar Tilak, and again in 1924, Mahatma Gandhi paid a visit to the site.
Considered a remarkable religious institution for all devotees, Siddaroodha Swami Math is now taken care of by a trust official.
Weighing in on the political significance of the Lingayat maths, Shekhar Dev Gowda, a trust official attached to Shri Siddaroodha Swami Math, told the media that leaders cutting across the political divide pay regular visits to the shrine in the hope of having their wishes fulfilled.