In Dharwad, Pralhad Joshi has a saffron-clad rival — Sirahatti-Balehosur Mutt Pontiff Dingaleshwar Swami

Meanwhile, Joshi said on Thursday, 28 March, that he was ready to apologise if there was any wrongdoings on his part.

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‘Seers, pontiff asking him to contest’

“Considering over 5 lakh voters from the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community in Dharwad, the seers and pontiffs are mulling Dingaleshwar to contest,” said sources.

“The new development came after several leaders reportedly made accusations against Joshi of suppressing Veerashaiva-Lingayats and other community leaders for political gains,” added the sources.

Meanwhile, the pontiffs and seers of the various mutts from the dominant community in North Karnataka demanded the BJP leadership to replace Pralhad Joshi from the Dharwad seat.

Following the demand from the pontiffs and seers, BJP parliamentary board member and former chief minister BS Yediyurappa made it clear that it is impossible to replace Joshi from Dharwad.

Upset over Yediyurappa’s response, Dingaleshwar Swami launched a scathing attack on Joshi threatening to ensure his defeat in the Lok Sabha polls.

It may be noted that Joshi has been representing the Dharwad seat for four consecutive terms and is hoping for the fifth term in the same seat.

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‘Over 120 mutts pressuring me to contest’

As the Lok Sabha elections are fast approaching, Dingaleshwar Swami claimed that over 120 mutt’s pontiffs were putting pressure on him to contest from the Dharwad Lok Sabha seat.

Considering the lion’s share of votes by the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community in the Dharwad seat, the pontiffs allege that Joshi suppressed the majority of communities in terms of politics, business and economy.

“The pontiffs and seers of around 120 Veerashaiva-Lingayat mutts met me and are pressuring me to contest from the Dharwad Lok Sabha seat. However, I have not yet made my decision. Time will have all the answers,” Dingaleshwara Swami told South First.

“We had asked the BJP to replace Pralhad Joshi from the Dharwad seat. We had given a deadline till 31 March to the BJP to announce their stand,” he added.

“But BJP’s former CM BS Yediyurappa issued a statement stating that they will not be able to replace Joshi in Dharwad. We have no plans to meet the BJP high command on the matter. We don’t have any rivalry against any political party but our fight is against Joshi,” reiterated Dinagleshwara Swami.

He said that the pontiffs will be meeting on 2 April to make a final decision.

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‘Our fight is against MP Joshi’

However, Dingsleshwar Swami said he was not against any political party but only Joshi.

“We oppose Joshi’s candidacy because he has systematically suppressed the majority communities in terms of political, economic and business. There is a kind of dreadful environment in Dharwad,” said Dingaleshwar Swami.

“People from various communities, mainly Veerashaiva-Lingayats, Dalits, Kurubas and other communities have suffered due to the politics of Joshi. The Veerashaiva-Lingayat alone has around 5 lakh votes. We are not against any communities or party but against Joshi,” clarified the pontiff.

Continuing his tirade against Joshi, Dinagaleshwar Swami pointed out: “In his over two-decade-long political career, Joshi has suppressed several people, irrespective of their region and caste. The anger against Joshi is so much that his party men want or pray for his defeat.”

“The other BJP senior leaders such as incumbent MPs Shivkumar Udasi and PC Gaddigoudar have never even tried to suppress the voice of other communities or any leaders. Joshi’s politics stands out as contradictory to it. Our sole goal is to ensure the defeat of Joshi,” added the Sirahatti Mutt pontiff.

He further said: “In Joshi’s tenure (as an MP), Hubballi-Dharwad city has barely witnessed development. The twin city has turned out to be a garbage city. He only indulges in politics and there is no development.”

“If the BJP denies to replace him then the ultimate power lies with the voters. We will go before the voters and enlighten them. Voters are the deciders. I will make it clear that our fight is against Joshi not on any political parties,” charged Dingaleshwara Swami.

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‘If there is a mistake, I will apologise’

After Dingaleshwara Swami demanded the replacement of the BJP nominee in the Dharwad seat and hinted at his candidacy, Joshi asserted that if there had been any wrongdoing from his end, he would apologise to the pontiff.

On Veerashaiva-Lingayat mutts opposing his candidacy, Joshi told reporters: “I would not like to reply to anyone. Since I have been elected from the Dharwad seat, the party has given tickets to their community (Veerashiava-Lingayat) in seven out of eight Assembly seats (in Dharwad district).”

“I have worked wholeheartedly for the constituency. Our party does not differentiate between any religions, caste or creed. We have given opportunities to all the communities,” Joshi denied the allegations of pontiffs.

Stating that he had given high regard for the pontiff, he continued: “I always respect Dingaleshwara Swami with high regards. I have known the pontiff for many years. He has always blessed me. I had also met him before elections and he had blessed me.”

“The party has a good relationship with the mutt. If he is mistaken then we will enlighten him. If there is any wrongdoing from my end then I am ready to apologise. He is a religious leader and I have high regard for him,” he said.

However, Joshi refrained from answering the criticism pointed towards him.

(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)