Lingayat-Veerashaiva row: BJP to adopt 'wait and watch' principle

Bengaluru, Mar 20: Main Opposition party BJP in Karnataka has decided to adopt a 'wait and watch' principle on Karnataka Cabinet's decision according Minority status to Lingayats and Veerashaiva Lingayats.

Speaking to newsmen after meeting a delegation of Veerashaiva Swamijis who called on him at his Dollars Colony residence here on Tuesday, Lok Sabha member and BJP State President B S Yeddyurappa said that "BJP has always stated that it will abide by the decision of the Akhila Bharat Veerashaiva Swaji Mahasabha. Let the meeting of the Mahasabha be held immediately and discuss future course of action."
"BJP will decide after a decision of the Swamijis and Veerashaiva leaders participating in the Mahasabha was made known. At present I don't want to announce BJP's stand on the issue. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has played the game 'very cleverly' and let Mahasabha come out with its decision," he added.
Meanwhile, Junior Swamiji of Siddaganga Mutt, Tumakuru, has welcomed the decision of the State Cabinet.
Speaking to newsmen in the Mutt, the Swamiji said that "the decision was taken unanimously by the Cabinet Ministers and it is a good move.
Since it is a collective decision, it is not correct to oppose it and we should march ahead unitedly instead of opposing every move", the Swamiji said. UNI