On Sunday, Karnataka State Bhartiya Janta Party chief B.S. Yeddyurappa startled the party rank and file by saying that efforts were on to divide the Veerashaiva Samaja by sowing seeds of discontent on caste lines. While addressing a party meeting, he urged party members, leaders and community members to ignore such attempts. “I want to make it clear that Pratap Simha’s defeat in Mysuru will be similar to my defeat. His victory will shape or strengthened my future career,” he said.

also read: Actor-politician JK Rithesh passes away at 46

When Mr. Yeddyurappa said he had come specifically to address this issue, the issue was serious and became evident. He revealed that similar attempts were being made in Nanjangud, which is part of Chamarajanagar parliamentary constituency, where V. Srinivas Prasad is the BJP candidate.

“I want to make it clear that he [Mr. Prasad] was not interested in contesting the elections... I forced him to do so because of the political situation. Hence, do not succumb to efforts being made to sow the seeds of casteism and divide the community,” the former Chief Minister said.

also read: Congress put an allegation on "mysterious" black trunk, on PM Modi’s chopper