Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has ordered the formation of a corporation for all-round development of the politically-influential Veerashaiva Lingayat community in the state with immediate effect. The formation came a day after a group of ministers and BJP MLAs led by Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi from the community called on Yediyurappa demanding setting up of the corporation.
"The state has a huge population of Veerashaiva-Lingayats, of which there are people who are economically, socially and educationally weak. Since there is a need to set Karnataka Veerashaiva-Lingayat Development Corporation for the all-round development of this community, it is ordered to set up this corporation without delay," the Chief Minister said in his order.
The decisions to set up the KVLDC and Maratha Development Authority are seen by sections in political circles as an attempt to persuade the Marathas and the Veerashaiva-Lingayats, who are in large numbers in Basava Kalyan assembly segment in Bidar district and Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency, bordering Maharashtra, where by-elections are due. Bsava Kalyan and Belagavi seats have fallen vacant following the demise of sitting Congress MLA B Narayan Rao and BJP MP Suresh Angadi due to COVID-19 recently.
Party is not giving me chance: Former union minister Jaysingrao Gaikwad Patil resigns
Supreme Court refuses to hear petition filed against CBSE fee hike
CAIT opposes proposal to impose lockdown in market areas in national capital