Lingayat Monks, Leaders Demand BS Yediyurappa Remains As Chief Minister

BS Yediyurappa's meeting with the monks comes amid speculation that he would be removed from the Chief Minister's post by the end of this month

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa today met the heads of several mutts in Bengaluru, strengthening his ties with the powerful priests of the state in what is seen as a message to the BJP and its ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The meeting comes amid speculation that he would be removed from the Chief Minister's post by the end of this month The political and religious leaders of the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community -- which comprises 16 per cent of the state's population and is seen the BJP's big support base in the state -- are backing the Chief Minister. Several of them have warned the BJP against any move to dislodge the 78-year-old, who also belongs to the community. Veera Someshwara Shivacharya Swami said any move to replace Mr Yediyurappa will have "big consequences" for the BJP. "Friction is common in politics, let anyone say anything, but we have confidence that B S Yediyurappa will continue as the Chief Minister and complete the term. If there are any shortcomings in this, it will have big consequences for the party," he was quoted as saying by news agency Press Trust of India.