KALABURAGI:Sangolli Rayanna Brigade will distance itself from the BJP henceforth, its mentor K S Eshwarappa said on Tuesday. He was here to attend a district-level convention of the brigade.
He told reporters that while the brigade planned to support the BJP in the upcoming elections, due to BJP state unit president B S Yeddyurappa’s constant refusal to accept it, they decided to develop it apolitically.
The brigade members have the right to contest elections as a candidate from any party of their choice, he said but made his loyalty towards the BJP clear.
When asked if he plans to quit the BJP, he didn’t answer. He said the decision to not support any political party was taken after taking advice from many religious leaders. Leaders of various political parties have joined the brigade, he claimed.
When asked whether the brigade would harm the prospects of BJP, Eshwarappa said the BJP is different from the brigade.
‘Rs 10,000 crore for mutts’
Seers of various religious mutts of the state would be the guides for the newly floated Brigade, said Eshwarappa. Inaugurating its district-level convention here, he lauded the contributions of mutts in the state. He said the mutts were undertaking welfare activities that the governments cannot do.
“If I come to power, I will reserve Rs 10,000 crore in the budget for the mutts. As each caste and sub-castes have their own mutt, it would be better to provide funds to these mutts as the mutts would satisfy the needs of their disciples efficiently,” Eshwarappa opined.
‘I did not receive any notice’
Eshwarappa denied receiving a notice from the BJP top brass for actively participating in the activities of the brigade. He added that he met BJP national president Amit Shah recently and briefed him about the activities of the brigade.
He said he had requested Shah to prevail upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate in the state-level convention of the brigade to be held at Kudala Sangama on January 26.
“Sangolli Rayanna had sacrificed his life for the country and hence the brigade has been named after him. Efforts would be made for the upliftment of the poor and downtrodden through this brigade,” he said.
He added that he and BJP state president Yeddyurappa are like brothers. They quarrel with each other and forget the quarrel later, he said.