JD(S) gambit: Hirekerur race intensifies with seer's entry

HAVERI: On the last day of filing nominations, JD(S) announced it was fielding Ratihalli Kabbinakanthi mutt pontiff Shivalinga Shivacharya Swami in Haveri district’s Hirekerur assembly segment, delivering a late twist in the election battle.


The move is bound to worry BJP and Congress as Shivacharya Swami, from the Lingayat community, enjoys considerable influence in the region.

JD(S) had earlier declared the candidacy of Ujineppa Kodihalli for Hirekerur, but it changed the decision on Monday.

Several BJP leaders, starting with chief minister BS Yediyurappa’s son and Shivamogga MP BY Raghavendra, spoke to the seer, urging him not to enter the electoral race. Former legislator UB Banakar, who heads the Karnataka State Agriculture Produce Processing and Export Corporation Limited, also made a plea. But Shivacharya Swami went ahead with JD(S) and filed his nomination papers on Monday.

He will clash with BC Patil of BJP and BH Bannikod of Congress. Patil, a Lingayat, was earlier a Congress legislator. Hirekerur was expected to be a straight contest between BJP and Congress. But JD(S) last-minute manoeuvre has made the fight more interesting.

JD(S) sources said its game plan was to divide Veerashaiva-Lingayat votes and teach a lesson to Patil, who changed loyalty along with 16 rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs. Only three days ago, Shivacharya Swami had told devotees that he won’t contest the bypoll. JD(S) persuaded him to change his decision on Sunday night.