MYSURU:AS the campaign for minority status for Lingayats hots up, the Congress government is likely to consult the Commission for Minorities on the issue of minority status for Lingayats.
The state government, which is closely monitoring the developments, may also recommend a separate religion status to the Centre before the announcement of the poll schedule.
The Congress, aware of the large following BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa enjoys among Veerashaiva voters, wants to dent the saffron party’s vote bank. A split in dominant Veerashaiva voters over separate religion status would spoil the prospects of the BJP in 120 constituencies in North Karnataka which is dominated by the community. The Veerashaiva ministers in the cabinet heading the movement are also scaling up their campaign and have planned a massive show in Bengaluru to prevail upon Siddaramaiah to take a call on the issue.